Getting Started with Alpha Peak Frequency

Alpha Peak Frequency (APF) shows where your alpha rhythm peaked during a session, compared with your own baseline. You'll see it in your session results after Mind, Heart, Body, Breath and guided biofeedback sessions. It's available on all Muse headbands with Muse Premium.

Alpha Peak Frequency was called Cognitive Performance before version 56 of the Muse app. To learn more about the change, see Alpha Peak Frequency (formerly Cognitive Performance).


Getting started with Alpha Peak Frequency
What is Alpha Peak Frequency?
What are the ratings?
How can I see Alpha Peak Frequency in the Muse app?
Why don't I see Alpha Peak Frequency in the Muse app?
Why do I have No Reading?
Is Alpha Peak Frequency part of Brain Age?
Why does APF require Muse Premium
Where can I read more about APF?
What if I cancel my subscription?

 

Getting started with Alpha Peak Frequency

1. Download the latest version of the Muse app.
2. Activate Muse Premium on your Muse account.
3. Complete 10 biofeedback sessions where your alpha peak is detected. This sets your baseline.
4. After that, you'll get an Alpha Peak Frequency reading with each biofeedback session where your alpha peak is detected.

Mind, Heart, Body, Breath and guided biofeedback sessions all count. Alpha Peak Frequency works with all Muse headbands.

 

What is Alpha Peak Frequency?

Alpha waves are brainwaves between 8 and 12 Hz, known as the alpha band. They're strongest when your eyes are closed, and you're at rest.

During each session, Muse finds the frequency in the alpha band with the strongest activity. That's your alpha peak, measured in hertz (Hz).

Your alpha peak is personal to you, so Muse compares each session with your own baseline. The baseline comes from your last 10 sessions where an alpha peak was detected, and it updates with each new reading.

When you compare readings with friends or family, keep in mind that each person's reading is compared only with their own baseline.

 

What are the ratings?

Each reading gets one of four ratings: Optimal, Great, Good or Fair. The rating compares this session's alpha peak with your own baseline.

You may also see:

• Calibrating APF: you're still setting your baseline. The card shows how many sessions are left before your first reading.
• No Reading: Muse couldn't detect your alpha peak in this session. See Why do I have No Reading?

 

How can I see Alpha Peak Frequency in the Muse app?

In a session's results

1. Tap the Me tab, then tap Session History.

2. Tap any biofeedback session.

3. Scroll down to the Alpha Peak Frequency card, below Brain Recharge. Your alpha peak value shows in the header.

4. Tap the card to expand it and see your rating, message and chart.

Your trends over time

1. Tap Health in the bottom menu bar.

2. Under Other Metrics, tap Alpha Peak Frequency. You can also tap View Trends on the card in a session's results.

3. Swipe left and right on the trend graph to see other time periods. Your average for the visible period is based on the data points on the graph. Your all-time average is shown below the graph.

Tip: add a journal entry after your session to note anything that stood out, such as a busy day or a short night's sleep. It gives you context when you look back at your readings.

 

Why don't I see Alpha Peak Frequency in the Muse app?

1. You're on an older version of the Muse app. See Downloading and Updating the Muse App to update. On versions before 56, the card is called Cognitive Performance.

2. Your account doesn't have Muse Premium. Make sure you're signed in to the account with your subscription, or get Muse Premium.

3. You're still setting your baseline. Complete at least 10 biofeedback sessions where your alpha peak is detected.

4. You got No Reading because Muse couldn't detect your alpha peak in that session.

 

Why do I have No Reading?

Alpha waves are strongest when your eyes are closed, and you're at rest. They drop when you're looking at or listening to something. This drop is called event-related desynchronization (ERD).

Short sessions also tend to have more movement as you settle in. Movement adds signal noise, which makes your alpha peak harder to detect.

Sometimes the strongest frequency in a session isn't in the alpha band at all. For example, if you're drowsy, your theta waves can peak instead.
 

Tips for getting a reading

• Complete sessions of 5 minutes or longer.

• Keep your eyes gently closed for the whole session.

• Keep movement to a minimum. If you tend to fidget, try a longer session.

• Use a damp cloth to wet the forehead and ear sensors. A little water can improve the signal.

• Make sure the ear sensors sit on the tops of your ears, like eyeglasses, with no hair between the sensors and your skin.

• Avoid skin products or makeup where the sensors touch.

• Choose a quiet space, and silence your phone and notifications.

• Check your Mind graph after the session. Large gaps in the data point to poor signal quality.

 

Is Alpha Peak Frequency part of Brain Age?

No. Alpha Peak Frequency isn't part of your Brain Age. On your Brain Age results, "Cognitive Performance" refers to your results on the four cognitive tests, not this card. See Understanding Brain Age.

Why does APF require Muse Premium?

Muse Premium supports our ongoing research and development, including new features like Alpha Peak Frequency. Including advanced features in Muse Premium helps us keep supporting and improving the whole Muse experience.

 

Where can I read more about APF?

Our Alpha Peak Frequency blog post covers the background and links to research studies.

 

What if I cancel my subscription?

If you cancel but don't delete your account, your Muse data stays securely saved under our privacy policy. When you reactivate Muse Premium, your Alpha Peak Frequency data is available again in the Muse app.

Without a subscription, you can still see your other Muse data, including Brainwave Powerbands, Mind, Heart, Body, Breath and sleep data.

To learn how to read your results and trends, see Understanding My Alpha Peak Frequency.