Comparison of diffuse correlation spectroscopy analytical models for cerebral blood flow measurements

This systematic comparison of three DCS analytical models demonstrates the superior ability of multi-layer models to reduce the influence of superficial tissue layers, thereby enhancing CBFi and rCBFi sensitivity relative to the semi-infinite model. We evaluated various fitting strategies, and beyond recommending the optimal approach for each model, we provide practical guidance for selecting the most appropriate model based on specific objectives, experimental conditions, and data analysis requirements. We believe we offer a valuable reference for researchers in the field, supporting informed model selection and highlighting key considerations for the effective application of DCS analytical models.