eSense Respiration (needs eSense Skin Response to work with)

Description

Biofeedback with the eSense Respiration

The Mindfield eSense Respiration is a small sensor to measure your breathing with your smartphone or tablet (Android or Apple iOS).

Respiration is related to tension and relaxation and is a valuabe stress indicator. With the eSense Respiration you can measure and effectively reduce your stress level with biofeedback training. The eSense Respiration gives the user precise feedback about the current level of stress in a variety of forms, e.g. through measurement curves, video and audio presentation. With the eSense Respiration we have decided to measure on a dilating chest strap.

The eSense Respiration measures breathing amplitude and frequency and, optionally with eSense Pulse sensor, Heart rate variability alltogether simultaneously. The eSense app belonging to the eSense is completely free of charge and also allows an export of the collected measurement data as CSV file or PDF report (eg via e-mail, Dropbox or Google Drive).

eSense Respiration & eSense Pulse

The eSense Respiration can be combined with the eSense Pulse and used simultaneously. Your breathing is a stimulator for your heartbeat and therefore combining both eSense sensors can take your training to the next level.

Included with eSense Respiration

• Mindfield® eSense Respiration Sensor incl. replacement spring

• Expansion strap
• eSense App from Mindfield (Apple App Store or Google Play Store)

• Detailed instructions for effective biofeedback training

Attention!

• To run eSense Respiration, you need an eSense Skin Response!
• eSense Respiration is an additional product to eSense Skin Response.
• eSense Skin Response is available in a package with eSense Respiration at a reduced price.
• Users who already own eSense Skin Response can purchase eSense Respiration as a supplement.

With the eSense you can…

• …do biofeedback training
• …measurize and reduce your stress level
• …create and use a guide for meditation

Which iOS Devices are Supported?

• All iOS devices from version 12.5 or higher, which are (in part):
• Apple® iPhone® 5S, iPhone® 6 / 6S, iPhone® SE / SE 2, iPhone® 7/7 +, iPhone® 8/8 +, iPhone® X, iPhone® XR, iPhone® XS, iPhone® 11/11 Pro, iPhone® 12/12 Pro
• Apple® iPad® from 5th generation (iPad Air) or newer, including all iPad Mini from 2nd generation
• Apple® iPad® Pro from 1st generation or newer
• Apple® iPod Touch® from 6th generation or newer
• Note: Some newer iOS devices without the classic 3.5mm headphone jack and with the newer Lightning / USB-C connector also work perfectly with the eSense. You either need an original Apple USB-C or original Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm connection adapter (not included in the scope of delivery of the eSense). Alternatively you also can use any other adapter with a DAC chip. We recommend this adapter on Amazon.

Which Android Devices are Supported?

• All Android smartphones and tablets from Android 10.0 (Android Q)
  Your Android device requires a 3,5mm jack (headphone jack) for external microphones!
  For Android devices without a headphone jack, you can use an adapter with a DAC chip. We recommend this adapter on Amazon.
• If you plan on purchasing a device for using the eSense, we suggest a Nokia G10, a Nokia G21, a Motorola Moto E40 or a Xiaomi Redmi 10 as an inexpensive entry-level device.

Respiration

When measuring the respiration, there are two main measurements; The Respiration Amplitude (RA) and the breathing frequency, breaths per minute. The Respiration is special, as in contrast to other biofeedback parameters it can be controlled consciously. This means that biofeedback respiration training is especially suited for beginners.

Our state of mind is reflected in our breathing. If we are pleased or tense, we usually breathe quickly, irregularly and flatly. Positive as well as negative stress is reflected in this way. If, on the other hand, we are relaxed and calm or sleepy, our breathing is usually slow, even and deep.

In everyday life we rarely think of our breathing and breathe almost exclusively unconsciously. If our unconscious breathing patterns are disturbed by chronic stress, pain or other psychological or physical stresses, this often leads to discomfort and the maintenance of stress. With breathing training, you can train and improve your breathing, achieve deep relaxation states and significantly increase your general well-being. Breathing therefore plays an important role in almost all relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, yoga, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. With the eSense Respiration you have a powerful tool to enhance your breathing in a modern way.

eSense app from Mindfield

The eSense comes with the eSense app which you can load for free in the in the Google Play Store (Android) or in the Apple App Store (iOS). The app contains a variety of functions for an effective biofeedback training in a modern design. Essential function are the display of the measured values app as bargraph and oscilloscope, a feedback by video, music, tones, vibration and new: by light via a bluetooth smart bulb.

eSense SDK and eSense Web App

Additionally you can also create own apps with our SDK. We also have developed an own eSense Web App with which you can stream your measured values to a PC.

Video of the eSense Mobile App

Video of the eSense Web App

The Respiration

Our state of mind is reflected in our breathing. If we are pleased or tense, we usually breathe quickly, irregularly and flatly. Positive as well as negative stress is reflected in this way. If, on the other hand, we are relaxed and calm or sleepy, our breathing is usually slow, even and deep.

Breathing has a special role in biofeedback in that we can consciously control this parameter. In everyday life we rarely think of our breathing and breathe almost exclusively unconsciously. If our unconscious breathing patterns are disturbed by chronic stress, pain or other psychological or physical stresses, this often leads to discomfort and the maintenance of stress. With breathing training, you can train and improve your breathing, achieve deep relaxation states and significantly increase your general well-being. Breathing therefore plays an important role in almost all relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, yoga, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation.

When measuring the respiration, there are two main measurements; The Respiration Amplitude (RA) and the breathing frequency, breaths per minute. The Respiration is special, as in contrast to other biofeedbackparameters it can be controlled consciously. This means that biofeedback respiration training is especially suited for beginners.

Significance of respiration biofeedbacktraining

Breathing is directly under our control. This is a reason why all other the world well known relaxation technics contain the observation and the control of our breath. Direct biofeedback of breathing; i.e., real-time feedback of breathing pattern, depth and frequency helps our consciousness to achieve new, better breathing patterns faster and more precisely than without biofeedback.

The focus on feedback prevents the otherwise so frequent drift in thoughts and loss of concentration on breathing. Many meditation techniques involve the observation of breathing, which is very difficult for many beginners. Breathing biofeedback makes this entry much easier. Frequently, feedback alone is enough without specifications, and the user automatically breathes more calmly and evenly. In addition to this measurement and feedback, it is also possible to specify how the user should breathe. The app includes a breathing aid for this purpose.

If Heart rate variability training is included, the eSense App offers various ways to visualize it and to define respiration in a certain rhythm. The coupling of heartbeat and respiration is greatest in most people when breathing at about 4.5 to 6.5 breaths per minute. This helpes the HRV training and makes it a lot more easier than without respiration support.

The eSense App

The price of the eSense includes in parts the hardware and also the software (the eSense app) all in once. We spend huge amounts of money for the programming and continuous development of the app. However, the eSense app is available for free in the App Stores. Our customers should not pay twice at different locations and, moreover, it is unusual for most people to pay a larger sum for an app. The eSense offers unbeatable value for your money and is a unique, high-precision biofeedback device with many features.

Procedures

A Procedure consists of several assembled modules. With this feature of our eSense app you can build the perfect individual relaxation guide, a stress test, a predefined biofeedback training or use it for research.

There are many possibilities. During a procedure, your skin response, respectively or temperature (depending on the eSense sensor you have) will be recorded and afterwards you see your results for each module and in total.

New: Smart Bulbs

The eSense app can support biofeedback via smart bulbs. Smart bulbs can change their colors and brightness and can be controlled via Bluetooth. In combination with the eSense app this enables you to the light from the bulb as an indicator of your level of stress or relaxation.

Currently the eSense app supports the Magic Blue® and Phillips Hue® smart bulbs. Both are smart bulbs which can be controlled via Bluetooth. The color as well as the brightness can be adjusted. From within the eSense App, you can connect to the Magic Blue or the Phillips Hue and use it in your biofeedback session.

Engineered in Germany

• eSense Respiration Manual 
• FAQ and Troubleshooting
• All eSense in comparison
• Account Comparison
• Analysis of eSense data (CSV)
• Streaming eSense data to a PC/Mac/Browser (eSense Web App, OSC)
• Compatible Android and iOS devices
• Troubleshooting Measuring Signal and Breathing Belt
• eSense Example Measurements 
• eSense Presentation (PDF)

Quick Guide to Usage

• When you buy the eSense Respiration you can download our free app from the App Store (Apple®) or Google Play (Android).
  (You can also download it in advance, but the app can not be effectively used without the sensor)
• Remove the eSense from its packaging. Put on the expansion strap as shown and adjust it to the correct length.
• After applying the strap, slide the sensor unit under the strap, connect the cables from the eSense Skin Response to the sensor’s push button connectors, and plug the other end of the eSense Skin Response into the microphone input of your smartphone or tablet.
• Start the app and click “Start”, the measurements will begin.
• Please carefully read the instructions within the app to get the best out of biofeedback training.
• Have fun with the eSense Respiration!

Which iOS Devices are Supported?

• All iOS devices from version 12.5 or higher, which are (in part):
• Apple® iPhone® 5S, iPhone® 6 / 6S, iPhone® SE / SE 2, iPhone® 7/7 +, iPhone® 8/8 +, iPhone® X, iPhone® XR, iPhone® XS, iPhone® 11/11 Pro, iPhone® 12/12 Pro
• Apple® iPad® from 5th generation (iPad Air) or newer, including all iPad Mini from 2nd generation
• Apple® iPad® Pro from 1st generation or newer
• Apple® iPod Touch® from 6th generation or newer
• Note: Some newer iOS devices without the classic 3.5mm headphone jack and with the newer Lightning / USB-C connector also work perfectly with the eSense. You either need an original Apple USB-C or original Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm connection adapter (not included in the scope of delivery of the eSense). Alternatively you also can use any other adapter with a DAC chip. We recommend this adapter on Amazon.

My eSense does not work with iOS 7 (or higher)

• The eSense works through the microphone port. From iOS 7 or higher you have to allow explicitly that the eSense app may use the microphone port, otherwise it will not work. You are asked for this during installation, please answer with “Yes” or “Allow”. After installation you can make this setting manually: Allow the eSense app to use the microphone port in the system settings of your iOS device: Settings -> Privacy -> Microphone.

Which Android Devices are Supported?

• All Android smartphones and tablets from Android 10.0 (Android Q)
  Your Android device requires a 3,5mm jack (headphone jack) for external microphones!
  For Android devices without a headphone jack, you can use an adapter with a DAC chip. We recommend this adapter on Amazon.
• If you plan on purchasing a device for using the eSense, we suggest a Nokia G10, a Nokia G21, a Motorola Moto E40 or a Xiaomi Redmi 10 as an inexpensive entry-level device.

Is there a way to extend the cord of the eSense?

• If you wish to use a longer cord between the eSense and your smartphone or tablet, you can extend the original cord of the eSense with a common, 4-pin, 3,5mm jack headset extension cord. We have tested 3 cords that have worked:
• 2m cord: http://amzn.to/2kJwqBM
• 0,5m cord: http://amzn.to/2kKEONs
• 110cm cord: http://amzn.to/2jJg1LZ
• All three suggested cords cost between £ 6-8 and are available f.i. from Amazon. Alternatively you should be able to use other 4-pin cords as well.

You can see our full FAQ here:

eSense FAQ and Troubleshooting (PDF)