# MuseStudio: Brain Activity Data Management Library for Low-Cost EEG Devices
## 5 Discussion  
The objective of the study covered the creation of an open-source software product that allows working with brain activity data and facilitates the management of activities designed for performing experiments. In particular, Muse was chosen as the low-cost device to allow researchers to focus on their research. The library MuseStudio provides a set of tools for management activities, including the import, conversion, export, and visualization of brain data. Thus, the solution adapts to real-time usage and recorded experiments. Moreover, those steps can be performed far from the place where the trial is being conducted, due to the tools provided. The internal features of MuseStudio are the following: open-source cross-platform library; developed for Python 3 [41]; complies with the best practices in data analysis [2] and the recommendations from the OHBM COBIDAS MEEG committee [6]; allows visualizing real-time data from multiple devices concurrently without being in the same place; imports data from unlimited raw recordings and multiple devices in a structured manner; exports using the standard for EEG data; converts to MNE- and Pandas-compatible data formats. These internal features drove the MuseStudio development activities. Moreover, other external features were identified by two external experts in neuroscience. Making the library open-source allows its usage and modification without worries, so other researchers and people interested in this field can use low-cost and minimally invasive devices in their experiments. In addition, the community can help by introducing new features and adapt the library to their particular necessities. It has been developed for all three major operating systems (Windows, Linux, and macOS) to ensure compatibility. As a prerequisite to use the library, having prior knowledge of Python is required. Python has converted into the preferred programming language for data science [41]. MuseStudio complies and follows the recommendations provided by the BIDS standard for neuroscience [42] to manage data recordings adequately. Therefore, it can import and export the data associated with multiple subjects and sessions using multiple devices. These data are not limited to the tasks that Muse natively supports, such as meditation. Instead, it supports any other validated activity. Following the BIDS [43] standard allows sharing data between partners and replicating experiments easily through the import and export functionalities. The external features of MuseStudio were validated by three external experts in neuroscience. They validated the presence of these features and their relevance. All these features, initially established by using the DESMET method, were identified and properly evaluated in the current version of MuseStudio. In MuseStudio, there are no limitations softwarewise, except for the lack of a guided user interface. This software shortcoming was previously identified and discussed. It  
Figure 8: Results of the latency test. can be overcome by designing and integrating user interface forms to provide session and participant descriptors and identifiers. Hardwarewise, the number of Muse devices simultaneously connected to a single computer is limited by the bandwidth and throughput of the Bluetooth module, which is different across machines. The library supports pausing the visualization at some point to explore a certain moment in time, and if the connection is lost, it automatically continues after reconnection. Additionally, the latency was tested with real-world usage in a controlled environment to maximize the delay between an event and its visualization on screen. The results showed exact timing from a 1 s update interval and times that varied depending on the interval if it was lower than 1 s. Nonetheless, those can be further reduced using a computer with better specifications. In summary, MuseStudio shows that low-cost devices related to neuroscience, such as Muse, can have a complete set of tools to manage brain data.