eSense Skin Response and Respiration Bundle – Biofeedback

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 Respiration with the App offers you

• A pressure sensor to record your breathing (breathing frequency, breathing depth, breathing pattern) (application always in connection with eSense skin response, as a sensor cable)
• A stretch belt that is comfortable to wear, washable and durable
• Comfortable to wear over clothing
• Unlimited recording duration
• Unlimited number of sessions and users
• Extensive statistics for breath analysis
• Breathing aid for breathing training with freely adjustable intervals, auxiliary tones and more
• Export of measurement data as a csv file with compatibility to other software programs for further analysis
• Export of curves, diagrams and statistics as a PDF report
• Set any number of markers during a recording
• Different, prefabricated training procedures are included in the app
• Free training according to your wishes with any biofeedback variant or several at the same time
• Extensive in-app help and manuals
• Regular app updates
• Possible combination with the eSense Pulse for heart rate variability biofeedback with determination of the coherence between heartbeat and respiration!

Skin Conductance / Skin Response

Skin response, also known as galvanic skin response (GSR), electrodermal response (EDR) or skin conductance (SC) is a method for measuring the skin’s electrical conductance, which varies with its moisture level. Conductance is measured in µSiemens (µS) and is the inverse of electrical resistance.

The eSense Skin Response measures skin conductance between two Velcro electrodes attached to the index- and middle fingers. Active measurement involves applying a very low, unnoticeable voltage to the fingers.

Significance of Skin Conductance and Biofeedback-Training

In a professional, therapeutic context, skin conductance training is the preferred biofeedback training method for anxiety, panic and learning relaxation.

The sweat glands are controlled by the vegetative (sympathetic) nervous system and react directly to the smallest emotional, physical or mental changes. A rise in skin conductance is clearly visible under the influence of stress. Stress factors may be, for example, mental activity, emotional arousal, deep inhalation or frightening.

Even the smallest changes are made visible with the aid of the app, and can be used for biofeedback training to reduce stress.

A detailed introduction is included in the free app.

Possibilities of the App

To train and improve your breathing, the app offers a wealth of biofeedback feedback:

• Bar feedback
• Curve feedback
• Video feedback (videos included and own videos freely selectable)
• Music feedback (music included and own music freely selectable)
• Tone feedback (change of pitch by the measured values)
• Tactile feedback through vibration (only smartphones; tablets cannot vibrate)
• Feedback through color changes of smart bulbs (Bluetooth® bulb and Philips Hue products are controllable)

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)
• Put on the chest strap as shown in the manual and adjust it to the correct length. The strap should be tight, but not uncomfortably tight or squeezed.
• 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!

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.

The app supports the Magic Blue® and Phillips Hue® smart light bulbs (available in the eSense app as an in-app purchase). From the eSense app, you can connect the smart bulbs and use them in your biofeedback exercises.

Engineered in Germany

Product safety

Manufacturer information

Product safety documents

• 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
• Electrode types
• Possible electrode positions
• 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 iOS version 15 or higher, which are (in part):
• Apple® iPhone® 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, iPhone® 13/13 Pro, iPhone® 14/14 Pro or newer
• Apple® iPad® from 5th generation (iPad Air) or newer, including all iPad Mini from 2nd generation
• Apple® iPad® Pro from 1st 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 can order a suitable adapter together with the eSense directly from us.

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. You can order a suitable adapter together with the eSense directly from us.
• 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