Which of the following can interfere with EEG readings?

The presence of artifacts from movement or muscle activity is a significant factor that can interfere with EEG readings. EEG, or electroencephalography, measures electrical activity in the brain. However, it is sensitive to various external and internal influences which can produce artifacts—unwanted signals that can obscure the interpretation of brain activity.

When a patient moves or engages in muscle activity, such as facial expressions, blinking, or even shifting positions, these actions create electrical signals that can be detected by the EEG electrodes. This introduces noise into the recordings, making it difficult to distinguish between the brain's electrical activity and the artifacts from muscle activity. Accurate assessment of neurological conditions depends on clear and reliable EEG signals, so minimizing artifacts is crucial for obtaining valid results.

While medications for anxiety, loud environmental noise, and excessive hydration can potentially influence EEG recordings to some extent, they do not have the same level of direct impact as artifacts resulting from movement or muscle activity in terms of distorting the brain's electrical signals. Thus, focusing on minimizing movement and muscle tension is key to ensuring the quality of EEG data.