{ "abstract": "Background: Wearable electroencephalography (EEG) systems enable neural monitoring beyond controlled laboratory environments. However, conventional EEG devices are limited by bulky hardware, lengthy setup procedures, electrode-related discomfort or irritation, and high costs, restricting their suitability for long-term real-world use. Objective: This study presents the design and validation of a modular smart EEG headband integrated with soft e-textile electrodes for comfortable, reliable out-of-lab EEG acquisition suitable for long-term neural monitoring. Methods: This research developed six adjustable, replaceable embroidered electrodes (textrodes) incorporating a foam layer to improve scalp contact. These textrodes were embedded in a neoprene headband and positioned over the frontal and temporal regions just below the hairline. The performance of the smart headband in detecting spectral and event-related potential (ERP) effects in three standard tasks, such as eyes open/closed, auditory oddball, and visual oddball, on ten healthy participants, was validated and compared with a commercial system endowed with sponge-based wet electrodes. Comfort and usability were assessed via a standardized questionnaire. Results: The smart headband reliably captured alpha-band modulation during the eyes open/closed task (p = 0.01) and significant ERP effects in both the auditory and visual oddball tasks (p = 0.014 and p = 0.013, respectively), demonstrating performance comparable to the commercial system. Questionnaire results indicated superior comfort and the elimination of skin irritation for the smart headband. Conclusion: The smart headband demonstrates detectability of spectral/ERP functional responses comparable to a commercial sponge-based EEG cap, while substantially improving user comfort. Significance: By combining soft embroidered electrodes with a wearable, modular form factor, this study advances wearable EEG technology toward comfortable, cost-effective applications, aligning with emerging needs in real-world neuromonitoring.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "School of Health Sciences, Southeast Technological University, Waterford, Ireland", "Walton Institute, Southeast Technological University, Waterford, Ireland", "Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy" ], "article_type": "Research Article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 6, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Komal Komal" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Frances Cleary" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Ram Prasadh Narayanan" }, { "name": "John S. G. Wells" }, { "name": "Marco Buiatti" }, { "name": "Louise Bennett" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ajdqfqngdmw0f.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0347189", "fulltext_url": null, "id": "ajdqfqngdmw0f", "issns": [ "1932-6203" ], "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0347189", "language": null, "licence": "CC-BY-4.0", "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0", "licence_source": "journal", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "openalex", "2805|EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Head/Eyes" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Head/Scalp" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Ocular system/Eyes" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Brain mapping/Electroencephalography" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Brain mapping/Electroencephalography/Event-related potentials" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Cognitive science/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception/Vision" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Neuroimaging/Electroencephalography" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Neuroimaging/Electroencephalography/Event-related potentials" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Neurophysiology/Brain electrophysiology/Electroencephalography" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Neurophysiology/Brain electrophysiology/Electroencephalography/Event-related potentials" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Sensory perception" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Neuroscience/Sensory perception/Vision" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Electrophysiology/Neurophysiology/Brain electrophysiology/Electroencephalography" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Electrophysiology/Neurophysiology/Brain electrophysiology/Electroencephalography/Event-related potentials" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception/Vision" ], [ "plos", "/Computer and information sciences/Software engineering/Computer software" ], [ "plos", "/Engineering and technology/Software engineering/Computer software" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Head/Eyes" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Head/Scalp" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Ocular system/Eyes" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Clinical neurophysiology/Electroencephalography" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Clinical neurophysiology/Electroencephalography/Event-related potentials" ], [ "plos", "/Research and analysis methods/Bioassays and physiological analysis/Electrophysiological techniques/Brain electrophysiology/Electroencephalography" ], [ "plos", "/Research and analysis methods/Bioassays and physiological analysis/Electrophysiological techniques/Brain electrophysiology/Electroencephalography/Event-related potentials" ], [ "plos", "/Research and analysis methods/Bioassays and physiological analysis/Electrophysiological techniques/Membrane electrophysiology/Electrode recording" ], [ "plos", "/Research and analysis methods/Imaging techniques/Neuroimaging/Electroencephalography" ], [ "plos", "/Research and analysis methods/Imaging techniques/Neuroimaging/Electroencephalography/Event-related potentials" ], [ "plos", "/Social sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception" ], [ "plos", "/Social sciences/Psychology/Cognitive psychology/Perception/Sensory perception/Vision" ] ], "openalex": "W7106732680", "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0347189&type=printable", "pmcid": null, "pmid": null, "published": "2026-09-09", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ajdqfqngdmw0f.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0347189", "source": "plos", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0347189" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "biology", "origin": "plos:neuroscience", "subfield": "neuroscience" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:anatomy", "subfield": "physiology" } ], "title": "Design and validation of a modular smart headband with embroidered electrodes for comfortable EEG monitoring", "title_text": "Design and validation of a modular smart headband with embroidered electrodes for comfortable EEG monitoring", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ajdqfqngdmw0f", "venue": "PLOS One", "versions": [] }