Educational neuroscience is an emerging interdisciplinary field. However, the use of neuroimaging techniques and tools such as electroencephalography (EEG) in school-based interventions and research is limited, largely due to the high costs and physical constraints of conventional research- or medical-grade equipment. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological data can provide useful evidence to validate the efficacy of interventions. The present study explores the utility of lightweight, affordable, and easy-to-set-up EEG systems for use in school-based research with children. Specifically, we examine the effects of a deep-breathing-for-test-anxiety intervention on brain electrical activity during a flanker distractor interference task in eleven-year olds, comparing the pattern of results observed using a consumer-grade EEG system (Emotiv EPOC+) against that obtained using a medical-grade EEG system (Neurostyle). Behavioral, EEG, and respiratory data was obtained from Primary 5 students (N = 45; M_age = 10.88, SD = 0.33), split into Emotiv and Neurostyle groups. The aim of the study was two-fold: to examine the effects of deep breathing on neurophysiological and behavioral correlates of inhibitory control of attention in children, and to understand the affordances and limitations of the Emotiv EPOC+ system for school-based research with children. Results from power spectral analyses suggest that deep breathing may enhance attentional control on a neural level by modulating brain electrical activity on several frequencies. Despite limitations, the consumer-grade EEG system appears to be capable of detecting some degree of power spectral differences associated with intervention effects.

教育神经科学是一个新兴的跨学科领域。但是，在学校的干预和研究中使用神经成像技术和工具（如脑电图（EEG））受到限制，这在很大程度上是由于常规研究或医疗级设备的高成本和物理限制。神经影像和电生理数据可提供有用的证据，以验证干预措施的有效性。本研究探索了轻巧，价格适中且易于设置的EEG系统在有孩子的学校研究中的实用性。具体来说，我们研究了在11岁儿童侧翼干扰器干扰任务期间进行深呼吸测试焦虑干预对脑电活动的影响，比较使用消费者级EEG系统（Emotiv EPOC +）与使用医学级EEG系统（Neurostyle）获得的结果模式。行为，脑电图和呼吸数据来自小五学生（N  = 45；中号_年龄 = 10.88，SD  = 0.33），分裂成Emotiv公司和Neurostyle基。该研究的目的有两个：检查深呼吸对抑制儿童注意力控制的神经生理学和行为相关性的影响，并了解Emotiv EPOC +系统在儿童校本研究中的作用和局限性。功率谱分析的结果表明，深呼吸可以通过在多个频率上调节大脑的电活动来增强神经水平的注意力控制。尽管存在局限性，但消费级EEG系统似乎能够检测与干预效果相关的一定程度的功率谱差异。