Lab PrimaInfanzia | Università di Milano-Bicocca

RESEARCH METHODS

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SAFETY AND COMFORT

We always use non-invasive procedures designed specifically for babies in the early months of life. The safety and comfort of the young participants is our top priority, ensuring that every experience is positive and stress-free for them and their families.

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY (EEG)

A technique for recording the spontaneous activity produced by our brain. Brain cells in activity emit an electrical signal that is recorded through a headset containing electrodes hidden under sponges (softened with warm water).
The sensation is similar to that produced by a swimming cap.

EYE-TRACKING (ET)

Eye-tracking consists of recording the infrared light reflected by the eyes while looking at a screen. This makes it possible to understand where and for how long children direct their gaze at particular images.

ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG)

Electromyography (EMG) records muscle activity, in particular is used to study facial movements involved in emotional expressions. Small, light sensors are applied to the face and record the electrical activity emitted by activating muscles, allowing us to verify their activation even when this is not easily visible to the naked eye.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY (ECG)

Electrocardiography is a safe and non-invasive technique that allows us to record the heartbeat of our participants. Three small adhesive sensors are attached to the chest in order to record the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart.

SKIN CONDUCTANCE (SC)

It measures the continuous changes in the electrical characteristics of the skin as a result of sweating. Sweating is regulated by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which is directly involved in the regulation of emotional behaviour, so this typical physiological reaction is used to investigate the processing of emotions.

fNIRS

Functional infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a safe and non-invasive technique for measuring changes in blood oxygenation in the superficial areas of the cerebral cortex.To carry out the measurement, an elastic headset is applied over which small electrodes are placed to emit and detect infrared light. The fNIRS is usually used while the participant is exposed to sensory stimuli (e.g. video/sound).

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