eSense Skin Response | GSR Sensor

Description

Biofeedback with the eSense Skin Response (GSR Sensor)!

The Mindfield eSense Skin Response is a small sensor to measure your skin conductance using  the microphone input of your smartphone or tablet (Android or Apple iOS). The eSense Skin Response is the ideal biofeedback device for the home, you can easily and simply measure your skin resistance using the GSR sensor and thus detect the stress in your body. With this skin resistance meter, you can effectively design your biofeedback training, making you healthier in the long run and reducing the stress level in your body.

Advantages of biofeedback therapy with the eSense Skin Response (GSR Sensor)

The skin resistance meter is a very useful tool for regular monitoring of your skin conductance, allowing you to accurately and easily perform your biofeedback therapy from anywhere. Skin resistance is measured by applying a small electrical voltage to your skin with a GSR sensor, this is not painful or dangerous for you at any time. Stressed bodies produce more sweat, this results in low skin resistance. So with the eSense Skin Response and its GSR sensor, skin resistance can be measured and then the stress level of your body can be deduced. The great advantage of the eSense Skin Response is that you can do this measurement at home or in your car, all you need is your smartphone!

Another advantage is that you can determine your biofeedback therapy on your own, you don’t have to travel long distances to any specialists. The included app and easy to understand interface allows you to become a true professional in biofeedback therapy. Determining your skin conductance has never been so easy, then you can think about what external factors have caused your skin conductance to increase. When skin conductance goes up, skin resistance goes down, with the Mindfield home biofeedback device you have both values firmly in view and you can work on your health.

The targeted development of stress management mechanisms is the great goal of biofeedback therapy. Through regular biofeedback and an ever better understanding of your body, after a certain period of time you will be able to take active steps against a stress release. Every person is different, so the sources of stress cannot be generalised. With the eSense Skin Response, you will get to know your body and your mind very well, which will enable you to integrate mechanisms and behaviours into your everyday life that will make you stress-free in the long term and thus healthier.

With the eSense (GSR Sensor) you can…

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

You can analyse your body’s entire experience and behaviour regarding stress with the skin resistance meter and work on yourself daily. If you are able to identify why your body is releasing increased stress hormones. Increased skin conductance is biofeedback from your body regarding stress. Get to know your body now with the eSense Skin Response and its precise GSR sensor, the best biofeedback device for the home!

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, but can be ordered optionally). 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. Alternativly, you can order an adapter with this product, optionally.
  
• 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.

Your skin conductance depends directly on your state of relaxation or stress, making it a commonly used and very precise stress indicator. With the eSense Skin Response, you can precisely identify your stress level and reduce it with biofeedback training.

The eSense provides you in various ways with exact feedback about your momentary stress level, e.g. with measurement curves, video display and audio feedback features.

For the audio biofeedback, the eSense now has a headphone jack, so you can additionaly listen to music or audio books while training your stress level down!

The app for eSense is free, and allows exporting the measured data via e-mail. The eSense Skin Response is also compatible with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (in combination with the included Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter).

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

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.

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 Skin Response 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
• eSense Example Measurements 
• eSense Presentation (PDF) 
• Flyer Mindfield eSense Skin Response (PDF) 

Quick Guide to Usage

• When you buy the eSense skin response 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)
• Fix the two velcro electrodes around your index- and middle fingers.
• Combine the eSense Skin Response with the microphone jack of your mobile device, and with the velcro electrodes.
• 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 Skin Response!
• P.S. You can re-order velcro electrodes in our shop, but they are durable and can be re-used many times.

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.

Which electrodes are working with the eSense?

• We offer 4 types of electrodes. Those have different advantages depending on the intended use. There are Velcro electrodes, Fingerclips (without gel), Gel electrodes and EDA Gel electrodes.
• The Velcro electrodes are suitable for the beginning since they are inexpensive, re-usable and easy to use
• The Fingerclips are suitable for the beginning as well, but more comfortable
• The Gel electrodes have a better signal quality due to the gel, but are not re-usable
• The EDA Gel electrodes are offering the most precise measured values and are re-usable, but require more effort in use and maintenance

You can see our full FAQ here:

eSense FAQ and Troubleshooting