Running experimental sessions

Pre-experiment checklist. Each experiment being carried out in the lab should have a checklist for items that must be completed prior to participant arrival and a checklist for procedures that will be completed as part of the experiment itself. Typical items include making sure that all equipment is powered on, all necessary cables are properly connected, equipment is working properly, and all supplies for the experiment are prepared and ready to go (including electrodes, newly filled syringes for EEG gel, a freshly washed (and fully dry) EEG cap, and a clean pillow case. It is also a good idea to check that all necessary experimental triggers are working properly, as software updates that operate in the background can sometimes disrupt this process. Behavioral tasks should be regularly tested to make sure they survive software updates.
Meeting the participant. It is a good idea to meet the research participant on the main floor of Bellmont Hall or near one of the entrances. This makes sure that they will not get lost on their way to the lab. When you see someone who appears like they might be the participant, ask them if they are here for a research study and what their name is. If this is the person you are looking for, offer a smile, introduce yourself and welcome them to the study. Then, you can walk with the participant to the lab. During this time, it often helps to make minor small talk and learn a little bit about the participant. This goes a long way for making people feel comfortable when they participate in our research studies.
Obtaining informed consent. After the participant arrives in the lab, ask them to take a seat and then sit alongside them at one of the behavioral testing stations. Then, explain that you will be describing the research study to see if they would like to participate, and that this involves going through the informed consent document for the study in detail. Make sure that the participant has a copy of the IRB-approved consent form and that you also have a copy. That way, you can each refer to your own copies. Carefully describe all aspects of the study as listed on the informed consent form. You should make sure to talk slowly and in plain english, because chances are the participant is not familiar with the research techniques that we use. Stop to take breaks often, and ask the participant if they have any questions or concerns. After you are finished reviewing the document, tell the participant that you will give them some additional time to review the form. If the participant indicates that they would like to participate, both you and the participant need to sign the form (unless it is a low risk study that only requires verbal consent). Then, offer the participant a blank copy for their records - if they refuse this copy, that is ok. See https://www.nimh.nih.gov/funding/grant-writing-and-application-process/elements-of-a-successful-informed-consent-video for details on how to properly obtain informed consent in a research setting. The participant also needs to review the COVID addendum and sign this as well (see attachments at the bottom of the page).
Formal eligibility screening. After obtaining informed consent, you will need to formally review the eligibility criteria for the study with the participant. Typically, each study in our lab has an eligibility form. Write the subjects ID (not name!) and the date on the top of this form, then verbally review each criteria with the participant. Write down the participant's answer to each question. If you are not sure if the participant meets eligibility criteria, you can contact Mike by text or phone call. If the participant does not meet the eligibility criteria, notify the participant and end the session. After completing eligibility screening, ask the participant if they need to use the bathroom and encourage them to go even if they are not sure. Our studies can be long and often require apparatus that cannot be easily removed.
Demographics - For all studies, basic demographic data should be collected (Age, Sex, Race, Ethnicity, Years of Education). This should reflect the NIH's reporting policies. Although this is only required for federally funded studies, this information is good to have in case reviewers ask.
TMS Safety screening. Most of our studies have the TMS safety screening questions incorporated into the eligibility form, but it is a good idea to re-screen the participant for TMS safety anyways. This can be done by verbally reviewing the questions listed on the TMS Safety Screening sheet on the lab wall with the participant. If you are not sure if the participant meets the TMS Safety Screening criteria, you can contact Mike by text or phone call. If the participant does not meet the TMS Safety Screening criteria, notify the participant and end the session.
TMS familiarization. Many participants in our studies have never experienced TMS before. It is a good idea to demonstrate to them how it feels before setting up any EEG and EMG electrodes. Typically, I demonstrate TMS on my arm and then on my own head to show the participant how it works and sounds. Then, I ask the participant if they are ok with me trying it on their arm. If they agree, I deliver one or two pulses to their arm muscle. Then, I ask the participant if they are ok with me trying it on their head. If they agree, I deliver one or two pulses to their scalp. Afterwards, I ask participants if they are comfortable with the sensation and if they are ok with proceeding. If they hesitate or are not sure, you can remind them that they are not obligated to participate. If they state that it makes them uncomfortable, end the session.
Equipment set-up. Set up all equipment for your experiment. This usually involves applying EMG electrodes and Brainsight. This is a great time to chat with the participant and try to make them feel comfortable while still remaining professional. If we can make a participant comfortable during this time, they will have a much better experience and be more willing to tell us if something is bothering them. At the end of equipment set-up, insert the earplugs (if performing TMS). Earplugs must always be inserted by research personnel to ensure that they are properly placed.
Experimental procedures. These will obviously vary depending on your study. However, some general rules apply. First, you should regularly ask your research participant how they are feeling. If they indicate at any time that they are uncomfortable, take a short break and readjust their positioning, or give them a snack/water. If they are still uncomfortable, ask them if they still would like to proceed. Remember, participants should ALWAYS wear ear plugs during TMS and these should be placed by the researchers, not the participant themselves. Try to keep sound to a minimum during any experimental recordings (EEG/EMG), behavioral tasks, or TMS delivery.
Compensation. After all procedures are complete (including post-experiment hair washing), calculate the amount of time the participant was in the lab. Multiply this by the hourly compensation rate specified by your IRB-approved protocol, including any pro-rating. Then ask the participant to wait in the lab while you retrieve cash from the cashbox. In the cashbox log, write the date and the amount of cash you removed from the cashbox and the purpose of this removal. Make sure that the participant completes the Participant Compensation Form (see Compensation Procedures for more details). Once you return to the lab, hand the participant the cash and thank them for their participation.
Snacks, sleeping and bathroom breaks. Our experiments are often quite long, and participants get hungry, thirsty, and tired. They often have to use the bathroom too. We have cups on hand to provide water as participants desire. We also have some snacks in the lab. If either of these items are running low, let the PI know so she can get more. If a participant starts to fall asleep during an experiment, gently tap them on the shoulder until they wake up and remind them to try their best to stay awake. If a participant needs to use the bathroom but is hooked up to EEG/EMG electrodes, disconnect the headbox and show them where the restroom is. You should remind the participant to keep the headbox dry when using the bathroom.
Emergency procedures. If a participant begins to shake, convulse, seems confused out of nowhere or loses consciousness and cannot be woken up, call 911 immediately. During this call, describe the event in detail to the 911 operator and describe the location of the laboratory. After 911 is called, the person who communicated with the 911 operator should go downstairs to t he front of Bellmont Hall to meet emergency personnel and direct them to the laboratory. The other researcher should remain with the participant. Once emergency personnel have arrived and the situation is under control and stable, the PI should be called. See TMS Training Manual and Safety Guidelines for more details.
MRI Procedures - MRI use requires rigorous training, including observing 5 scanning sessions, a written test, 5 apprenticeship sessions, an oral and practical exam, and various instructional videos. The instructions can be found on the BIC Wiki: Training. All lab members performing MRI should read all safety documentation on the BIC Wiki: Safety. Here are the instructions for a medical emergency during MRI:

The level 2 user assumes control and instructs another researcher to call 911. Explain to the 911 operator that you are in the basement of the Norman Hackerman Building at 24th & Speedway, and that you will meet the emergency responders at that intersection. The person who called 911 should now assist the level 2 user in removing the subject from the magnet room if needed.
The level 2 user evaluates the situation and determines if the person suffering the emergency can be safely removed from the magnet room if that's where s/he is. If the person can be safely removed from the magnet room, do so. If the troubled person can not safely be removed from the scanner room, the magnet must be quenched. Position him/her in the control room and begin administering any first aid you feel qualified to provide.
At this point, the person who called 911 should go upstairs to the intersection of 24th Street and Speedway to meet and direct first responders.
If the magnet has not been quenched, the level 2 user should close the door to the magnet room, and prevent any first responders from accidentally entering the room.
After the emergency responders assume control of the situation, the level 2 user should send someone to find BIC staff and alert them to the situation if they are not already aware.