A single ECG artifact within a 128-s interbeat interval series can introduce substantial spurious variance into frequency and time domain analyses, exceeding typical effect sizes.
Even a single ECG artifact can introduce massive spurious variance in heart period variability analyses, highlighting the critical need for rigorous artifact detection and resolution.
The impact of artifacts on estimates of heart period variability were evaluated by modeling the effects of missed R-waves and spurious R-wave detections in actual and simulated heart period series. Results revealed that even a single artifact, occurring within a 128-s interbeat interval series, can impart substantial spurious variance into all commonly analyzed frequency bands, including that associated with respiratory sinus arrhythmia. In fact, the spurious variance introduced by a single artifact may be greater than that associated with true basal heart period variability and can far exceed typical effect sizes in psychophysiological studies. The effects of artifacts are not related to a specific analytical method and are apparent in both frequency and time domain analyses. Results emphasize the importance of artifact detection and resolution for studies of heart period variability.
Berntson et al. (1998) studied ECG artifacts and heart period variability. Modeling of ECG artifacts (missed and spurious R-waves) was evaluated on Impact of artifacts on estimates of heart period variability. A single ECG artifact within a 128-s interbeat interval series can introduce substantial spurious variance into frequency and time domain analyses, exceeding typical effect sizes.