Validation of a freely distributable software for the analysis of electrophysiological signals: Smart Tools for Evoked Potentials (STEP)

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to validate the STEP, an application developed for the analysis of various auditory and vestibular electrophysiological signals. The STEP was designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of latency and amplitude analysis, as well as other waveform morphological features such as calculation of area, slope, and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Methods The methodology was structured into two phases: one involving simulated waveforms and the other based on experimental data. In the first phase, waveforms were generated using mathematical functions, and their features were marked and analyzed both by trained examiners and by the STEP application. In the second phase, the STEP was tested using real electrophysiological recordings, with latency and amplitude values compared across STEP and two established gold-standard systems. Results The results demonstrated high accuracy of STEP in both manual and automatic peak and trough markings, as well as in subsequent calculations. No statistically significant differences were found among the evaluated systems, nor between the examiners. Conclusion The STEP proved to be a reliable tool for identifying latencies and amplitudes of electrophysiological waveforms and for performing additional analyses, including P1N1 area calculation, slope estimation, and FFT analysis.