Mathematical models of the electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram signals to test methods for detection of synchronization between physiological oscillatory processes

We proposed mathematical models for the electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram signals with functionality to preset the pattern of synchronization between the phases of the low-frequency oscillations, which are related to the sympathetic neuronal control of circulation. The simulated phase difference reproduced the statistical and spectral characteristics of the experimental data, including the alternating horizontal and sloped sections, corresponding to the intervals of synchronous and asynchronous behavior. Using the proposed model, we tested and tuned an algorithm for detection of the phase synchronization between the parts of the sympathetic control of circulation, improving both sensitivity and specificity of the algorithm.