Development of EEG-based paradigm to observe stress-inducing states in college students using Neurosky and MATLAB

Zainal, Nur Najwa Widad (2025) Development of EEG-based paradigm to observe stress-inducing states in college students using Neurosky and MATLAB. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The rise in stress and anxiety among college students has raised the demand for effective as well as noninvasive techniques for monitoring these psychological states. EEG shows potential because it enables continuous monitoring of brain activity in real-time. The current paper describes an EEG-based study using the Neurosky MindWave headset to evaluate the levels of anxiety and stress among college students. The Neurosky device was selected because it is easily transportable and affordable, and the experiment concentrated on attaining values for validity, including attention, meditation, and selected EEG bands, such as alpha and beta. The paradigm used consisted of designing controlled experimental tasks—stress- generating activities, such as time-limited tasks and tasks with numerous errors, as well as relaxation tasks. Initial findings regarding beta wave patterns and attention in response to stress and non- stressful conditions of the participants have shed light on alterations between the two states. The results suggest that there is merit in using EEG-based paradigms as objective markers of anxiety and stress which can be used to monitor and/or treat such conditions in real time. Therefore, this study shows the feasibility of inexpensive EEG in mental-health research and signaling the utilization of stress management and academic contexts in the future.

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