Course Details

Wednesday, April 30

   Session 1:  14:10 to 15:40

   Session 2:  16:30 to 17:50

Total Course Length: 3 hours

Human-computer interaction (HCI) is increasingly taking advantage of psychological, physiological, & behavioral (i.e., psychophysiological) signals both for studying user experience and as implicit interaction mechanisms; yet, acquiring psychophysiological signals requires understanding of fundamental principles that guide measurement and interpretation. The field of psychophysiology is concerned with the interaction of psychological states and physiological activity to uncover bidirectional ways in which the mind and body intersect with well-established standards.

Course Description

This multi-unit course features fundamental psychophysiological principles, electrophysiological signal acquisition, and hands-on filtering and interpretation using signal processing software. Commonly measured signals include heart rate (HR), accelerometry, respiration, brain waves (EEG/ERP), skin conductance (GSR/SCL), muscle contraction (EMG), eye-tracking, & sleep (PSG). By understanding the fundamentals of psychophysiology, participants will enhance their ability to use psychophysiology in HCI applications.​
This year’s hands-on activities showcase electrocardiography (ECG/EKG) and heart rate variability (HRV). ​

Two Sessions, Four Units

PREP
(AHEAD)
​Before meeting in Japan
-Download & Install OpenSignals
OpenSignals (r)evolution
-Download & Install Kubios
​Kubios Scientific

SESSIONS
(1 & 2)
1) ECG & Heart Rate (OpenSignals)
2) Heart Rate Variability (Kubios)

UNIT 1-4
(JAPAN)
April 30, 2025 - 14:10-17:50 (In person)
-Cardiovascular physiology
-Skin preparation for electrodes
-Heart rate signal acquisition
-Immersive activities to elicit activation & relaxation
-Signal cleaning, beat detection algorithms, frequency analyses
-Interpretation of ECG & HRV signals
-Applications for HCI
-Two consecutive 90 min sessions, in person only

Meet the Instructors

Jennifer J McGrath
​​PhD MPH

Professor in the Department of Psychology at Binghamton University, New York and Concordia University, Montreal. Jennifer has taught psychophysiology and advanced methodological workshops for the past 25 years. With extensive experience using wearables to measure heart rate variability, blood pressure, and polysomnography in children and adolescents, she has pioneered rigorous pediatric ambulatory measurement standards. Her research broadly focuses on the pathogenesis of subclinical cardiovascular disease markers that emerge during childhood and adolescence.

Marc N Jarczok
PhD

Full time researcher in the department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the University Medical Center Ulm, Germany. Marc has over a decade of experience in teaching and conducting research in the field of psychophysiology, focusing on the relation between workplace stress and individuals’ health. Marc has expertise in using advanced statistical methods and wearable technologies, including heart rate variability and blood pressure monitoring, to investigate health outcomes in diverse populations. His research primarily explores how  psychosocial stress impacts physiological processes, particularly the early onset of cardiovascular and immune regulatory disorders. 

Paula Lago
PhD

Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Concordia University. Her research is focused on understanding and measuring the relation between behaviors and health outcomes in ecological and cost-effective ways by using wearables, sensors at home, and machine learning. She was a volunteer on the SIGCHI Communications Team from 2018 to 2024.

Course Prep & Materials

Registered attendees can access materials here