eSense Temperature ManualVersion 6.6.0 | created at 10/10/2024 |
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ContentsGeneral1. News 2. Delivery contents eSense Temperature 4. EC Declaration of Conformity 5. Contact Skin Temperature6. Skin temperature in general 7. Skin temperature and biofeedback training Biofeedback Training8. Preparation and start of the app 9. Procedures 10. Open Training Sensors & Accessories11. Possible fixations of the sensor 12. Extending the cord of the eSense eSense App (Android / iOS)14. Functions of the Mindfield eSense App 15. General notes 16. General view & Open Training 17. Breath Pacer 20. Pie charts (after a measurement) 22. Procedure editor 23. Add new module 26. Meditations 27. Own media (photos, videos and audios) 29. In App Purchases 32. Compatible Android and iOS devices 33. Adapter for Android and Apple devices eSense Web App (www.esense.live)34. eSense Web App Account & Cloud (optional)36. Groups 37. Privacy policy 1. NewsNew in 6.7.7 We’ve overhauled the entire app to improve stability and performance and added some new features.
Find the updated manual and FAQ in our helpdesk: https://help.mindfield.de Check out our Youtube channel with Smartbulb tutorial videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/Mindfield-Biosystems 2. Delivery contents eSense TemperatureDelivery contents eSense Temperature
NotesIf you would like to have a longer cable between the eSense and your smartphone or tablet, you can extend the original cable of the eSense. More about this in our article. Some newer iOS devices without the classic 3.5mm headphone jack need an adapter. More about this in our article. 3. Technical DataSampling frequency: 5 Hz (5 measured values per second). Resolution of the measured values: 18bit, rounded to 2 decimal places, i.e. 0.01 ° C in the data export without rounding Absolute measurement error without calibration+ -0.5 ° C (applies from 15 ° C to 35 ° C) 4. EC Declaration of Conformityin accordance with the following directive(s): The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC) (2004/108/EG) The manufacturer Mindfield Biosystems Ltd. hereby declares that the following product: „Mindfield® eSense Temperature“ complies with all applicable essential requirements of the directives. It is in conformity with the applicable requirements of the following documents: DIN EN 60950-1 Information technology equipment – Safety – Part 1: General requirements (2011-01) DIN EN 55022 Information technology equipment – Radio disturbance characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement (2008-05) DIN EN 55024 Information technology equipment – Immunity characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement (2011-09) Place: Gronau 5. ContactMindfield® Biosystems Ltd. · Hindenburgring 4 · D-48599 Gronau Tel: + 49 (0)2565 406 27 27 · Fax: + 49 (0)2565 406 27 28 · E-Mail: info@mindfield.de If you have questions about our products or need support, please do not hesitate to contact us! To avoid inappropriate advertising and spam, we ignore messages with specific content. We therefore ask you to not write links in the contact form. If this should be necessary, please write us an email. Please do not send unsolicited packages to us. Unfree returns will not be accepted and cannot be processed. 6. Skin temperature in generalThe temperature at the surface of the skin changes according to blood circulation through body tissue. The small blood vessels (arterioles) crossing through the tissue are surrounded by fibers of smooth muscle, which are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. In a state of increased exertion, excitement and stress, these muscle fibers contract, causing a stenosis of vasculature. This leads to a reduction of skin temperature, since blood circulation through the tissue is reduced. In contrast, in a state of relaxation, the musculature is also bound to relax, causing the vasculature to expand. Hence, the skin temperature rises. Mental stress often leads to a lower peripheral perfusion and a decrease of skin temperature at the hands, caused by increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This has a sense of evolution because tension and anxiety originally served the preparation for an impending flight or an attack. As a result, as much blood as possible is available in the working muscles (upper arms, thighs and torso), which is achieved by the narrowing of vessels in the hands, feet and forearms. We all know a time in our lives when we got wet hands. For example, think of a speech that you gave in front of an audience or a job interview panel. If you were anxious in those situations, can you remember having cold (and sweaty) hands? This physiological stress reaction can be useless or even harmful in many contexts in modern society (e. g. mental exertion, worries, psychosocial stress, and anxiety disorder). A conscious control of physiological stress can help you react in a more relaxed and efficient manner to many situations. Biofeedback is an established way to learn this kind of control! We combine the measurement and feedback of skin temperature in the eSense app with guided relaxation exercises, including guided meditations, and offer you an overall experience that goes beyond biofeedback. In addition to extensive feedback variants, you have the option of evaluating your measurements with many statistics, documenting your progress and exporting the recordings as CSV and PDF files. Your data belongs only to you! You have full access to the raw data. 7. Skin temperature and biofeedback trainingTo reduce stress and its vegetative symptoms, biofeedback-training can be conducted by striving for a rise of the skin temperature. Biofeedback with skin temperature is mainly applied in relaxation exercises. It’s easy to handle and learn. Experience with this technique shows a high rate of success and improvement of subjective well-being. In the therapeutic field, skin temperature biofeedback is often used in migraine and chronic pain. If you suffer from a serious disorder or medical condition, always consult a professional physician or therapist, and do not attempt to treat yourself. Biofeedback training is not an officially recognized medical procedure. Hence the eSense Temperature is not a medical device and may only be used for stress reduction training. A particularly easy and effective biofeedback method is hand warming training. It works with the eSense Temperature sensor attached to a finger, or simply held between the thumb and index fingers. You will learn through direct feedback to intentionally raise the temperature of your fingers, thus increasing perfusion in your hands. The biological temperature sensors in our hands give us only an inaccurate impression of our skin temperature. We can just roughly decide between warm, cool, cold and so on. The real-time feedback with the precise eSense Sensor will give you much more precise information on the perfusion and temperature of your hands, enabling you to learn conscious control of these parameters and your relaxed well-being. Hand warming training aims to show a person their skin temperature and help them get direct control over the blood circulation in their outer limbs. A biofeedback training consists of four training stages. Schedule for the first training about 60 to 90 minutes of free time in which you can conduct the training undisturbed and flexibly. It must also be differentiated between different types of stress. There is “bad stress,” distress, and there is “good stress,” eustress. You need to ask yourself if you are stressed because you feel overwhelmed and are angry about something or because you are upset. Or are you “stressed” because you are full of drive and are excited? In both cases, the eSense Skin Response shows elevated values, but in the first case only, this is to be judged negatively. In the second case, you can simply enjoy and use the active or euphoric state. 8. Preparation and start of the appCreate the conditions needed for a successful training:
As skin temperature depends also on ambient temperature, you should try to perform each training session under similar ambient conditions. You should get accustomed to the ambient temperature for at least five minutes (acclimatization), letting the training start while your body is in a relaxed and constant state. This phase of acclimatization can already raise your hand temperature by several degrees. In comparison with other biofeedback techniques, you will need fewer sessions for a reliable success. 6-10 sessions should be sufficient. To keep focused throughout the entire session, you should limit each session’s length to about 30 minutes. If you start feeling tired while training, you should shorten your sessions and practice more often instead. Fixation of the sensorUse the accompanying tape (or a fabric tape of your choice, e.g. Leukoplast™) to attach the temperature sensor to your index or middle finger. Plastic tape works as well, although it’s less comfortable because it’s airtight and can make your fingers perspire. The next step is to start the app. At the beginning you can choose between a free training and a procedure. We recommend that you start with a procedure. We present you both below. 9. ProceduresA procedure consists of several assembled modules. With this new feature, you can build the perfect individual relaxation guide, do a stress test, use it for pre-defined biofeedback training or use it for research. There are many possibilities. During a procedure, your skin response or temperature (depending on the eSense sensor you have) is recorded, and after the recording is made, you can see your results for each module and in total. We suggest you test the demo-procedures which are included in the app. Those will give you a guided overview of the different modules and functions of the procedures. The included procedures are also protected by a password in order that those can’t be edited or deleted by accident. You can any time create a copy of those procedures without a password and change it as you wish. We also explain in detail how you can create and edit your own procedures in the chapter procedures settings. 10. Open TrainingAs a second option you can also conduct an open training. This is compared to the procedures a bit more complex. We therefore explain a typical open training session which consists of 4 training phases. Preparation and start
First stage (observe and experiment; determine your initial status)
Before taking another measurement, try to pay attention to the daily activities during which you are more likely to have hot or cold hands. These observations may be useful later in further sessions. Second stage (targeted Biofeedback training with the skin response)
Third stage (transfer; relaxation without feedback)
Fourth stage (deliberate provocation, relaxation and stress coping)
11. Possible fixations of the sensorHoldingSimply hold the sensor between your index finger and thumb. + No additional equipment necessary. Velcro tape (included)A Velcro strap is included with the eSense Temperature. You can use the Velcro to attach the sensor to your finger. + No further equipment necessary + More comfortable for longer measurements Leukosilk (medical tape)Simply attach the sensor to your finger or palm with roll adhesive plaster. You can get roll adhesive plasters in every pharmacy. + Can be attached to a finger or the palm of the hand. + More comfortable for longer measurements Finger ClipThis is our recommended method of attachment. The finger clip does not stick because no glue is used. The open design ensures that there is no heat buildup. + no sticking + no heat accumulation + for longer measurements optimal fixation of the temperature sensor The finger clip is already included in the scope of delivery of the eSense Temperature. If required, you can order the finger clip in our online shop: [sc name="temperature-clip-shop-english"][/sc] 12. Extending the cord of the eSenseIf 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 three cords that have worked well: 2m cord: [sc name="amazon-2m-cable-german"][/sc] All three suggested cords cost between £6-8 and are available from Amazon. Alternatively, you should be able to use other 4-pin cords as well. 13. Smart Bulbs (optional)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, smart bulbs indicate your level of stress or relaxation through their lights. 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. Here you connect to the Hue Bridge from the eSense app and select the desired lamps. Magic BlueUnfortunately, the Magic Blue is no longer in production. We have extended the eSense app to enable the use of Philipps Hue smart bulbs, which can be controlled via Bluetooth. But you still can find more information about the Magic Blue in our article Philips HueYou should be able to find the Phillips Hue in every well-sorted electronic store. You can also order it online. A list of the on- and offline-merchants can be also found on the page of the Phillips Hue: [sc name="philips-hue-website-english"][/sc] We suggest you use one of the starter kits from Phillips, with the eSense. This also contains a colored bulb (‘Color Ambience’): [sc name="philips-hue-amazon-english"][/sc]. The use of Philips Hue is available as an in-app purchase in the eSense app. You can also find more information about the Philips Hue in our article. 14. Functions of the Mindfield eSense AppThe eSense comes with the eSense app which you can load for free in the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS). It offers a wealth of features for effective biofeedback training in a modern design. Essential functions are: the display of measured values as a bar graph, an oscilloscope, feedback via video, music, sound, vibration, and smart bulbs (Magic Blue and Philips Hue). You receive a comprehensive evaluation after each measurement and can compare measurements with each other in the archive and export them as CSV files. The app is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish, Dutch, Japanese and Chinese. The language is chosen automatically according to the set language of the smartphone or tablet. Download Links iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mindfield-esense/id1141032160?mt=8 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mindfield.boisystem.esense 15. General notes
In following the app is described in full details. 16. General view & Open TrainingPortrait
Landscape
17. Breath PacerIf you have toggled this option on in the settings, you can have the Breath Pacer displayed. In the settings you can choose between line, sphere or animation. You can configure the breath pacer in the settings. There you can freely choose inhalation time, hold, exhalation and hold in 0.1s increments. 18. Biofeedback SnakeYou can also display the Biofeedback snake as an additional option. After 10 green symbols you will also be rewarded with a star and after 50 green symbols even with a shooting star. If the snake goes over the entire screen you will see the last 5 minutes. In detail, the symbols are calculated as follows. During the last 5 seconds of measurement, if…
19. Survey (optional)If you have toggled this option on in the settings, a survey will appear after each measurement. This enables you to archive reproducible measurements and to document changes in your measurements (for instance, if you change the electrodes type or if you start to use the eSense while you are lying down instead of sitting). What is your position? Electrode type How do you feel? Note (here “Test tone and tactile”) 20. Pie charts (after a measurement)After the measurement (and optional survey), in the landscape mode, a survey appears with two pie charts: one shows your SCR while your measurement and another shows the time proportions of rising, falling or steady values (see screenshot). Here you can also swipe the screen to the left or right to change between the pie chart and the graph of your measurement. 21. Procedure OverviewEdit or delete procedure To edit a procedure, simply swipe it to the left in the overview. You can then tap the blue pen-symbol to edit the module. If you want to copy the procedure, tap on the green copy-symbol. By touching the red trash symbol, you can delete the module. 22. Procedure editorProcedure name Password (optional) Temperature scale Decimal separator Survey after recording 23. Add new moduleIn the procedure editor, select the “Modules” tab. Add module to procedure Edit module Module Type Module duration module color 24. Overview of the modulesBreath Pacer module in landscape format Osciloscope Type Breath curve (Sphere) Osciloscope Type Both Biofeedback Snake The Biofeedback Snake is also available as module. Procedure in the archive 25. Creation of a procedure26. MeditationsYou can also choose one of our guided meditations as a procedure. The breathing meditation is already included in the eSense app. We will also offer more meditations shortly as new free cloud procedures for users with account. The meditations thus offer you an easy way to train your awareness and attention and, at the same time, receive biofeedback. 27. Own media (photos, videos and audios)You can use your own pictures in the picture module, your own videos in the video module or your own music or melodies in the audio module in the procedures. Android usually enables this without any further problems. As long as you allow the eSense app to access your files on your device, you can upload them to the eSense app. iOS is a bit more restrictive. As usual, you can use your pictures from your device in the iCloud for pictures and videos. For audio files you need iTunes (or an alternative such as “CopyTrans Manager”). This is where your music or melody must be. You can find your music in iTunes (or CopyTrans Manager) under the tab “My Sound” and insert it into your procedures. We have a detailed video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_CRbmBeBBc where we show all the steps. On iOS the power saving mode must also be deactivated, otherwise the videos in the procedures cannot be played. 28. Settings (Overview)Feedback Direction Response time Music Feedback Music Preview Choose music Music feedback type Tone Feedback Choose tone type Auto Mode Value range from-to Auto correction time frame Musical instrument
Tactile Feedback Tactile feedback direction Smart bulb feedback Choose a bulb Connection test Breath Pacer Breath pacer type Enable audio tone Inhale time / exhale time Hold before inhale / exhale background image Inhale color / exhale color Video Video Feedback Type General: Session name Session time length Time length X-Axis Temperature scale Decimal separator Survey after recording Markers Show tutorial Chart settings Chart axis color Chart line color Oscilloscope background 1&2 Smoothing of oscilloscope curve Reset to standard colors Arrow raise / lower color Show arrow Backup & Restore Demo Mode
29. In App PurchasesIn-App Purchases 30. Archive (overview)The app also contains an archive, in which you can save your measurements and export them as well. You can watch those in detail again, compare them to each other and export them individual or all together (as ZIP file). Recordings If you click on the clipboard symbol at the top right, you can mark one, several or all measurements. You can then export, analyze or delete the exported measurement (s). On the filter symbol you can choose whether you want to sort the measurements by name, date, length in ascending or descending order. If you want to delete a single measurement from this list, you can also tap on the trash can symbol to the right of the measurement. Analyze Time, Average of Session °C, Minimum °C, Maximum °C, Difference Min/Max °C, Time Decrease, Time Increase. With this, you can recognize trends over time and over several measurements (if, for example, your % of SCR of Session decreases by regular training, you can see this here immediately). 31. Archiv (individual view)Export data If you click on the export symbol on the top right, you can export the measurements as a .csv-file with all common apps (for instance, send over the Messenger, WhatsApp, email, etc.) or simply save them on your device or in your cloud. The data are exported as a.csv-file (comma separated values). This format can be opened with Microsoft Excel or Open Office Calc (for free). If you like to work with Google, Google Sheets can be an alternative to Excel for you. You can open your exported .csv-files, visualize and access them via the cloud easily from several devices. Google Sheets has almost the same functions and interface as Excel. Note: We have also summarized more detailed information on CSV export and processing your data in an extra article on streaming and analyzing eSense data. Parts of increase/decrease/steady In the pie chart you can see the parts in which the measured values where increasing, decreasing or steady. Export as PDF File You can export the measurement also as PDF alternatively. Note: This takes a moment. In Excel™ or Google Sheets™ Notice: If you open the .csv-file with Excel™ (or Google Sheets™) and your values make no sense, then there is usually a different set language in the eSense App and Excel™ and Sheets™. Note: We have also summarized more detailed information on CSV export and processing your data in an extra article on streaming and analyzing eSense data. 32. Compatible Android and iOS devicesGeneralNote for all eSense: If you don’t have a device yet and/or want to buy an extra device for the eSense, we recommend depending on your taste either
or
According to our research, these options offer enough power for the eSense app, will remain upgradeable to the upcoming Android and iOS versions for some time, and are still reasonably priced. The Android devices also still have a normal 3.5mm jack input and do not require an adapter for the eSense. iOS devices compatible with the eSense
General note: Additional note Siri: Note for iOS devices and the eSense Pulse: Note for iOS 7 and later and the eSense Respiration, Skin Response, and Temperature: Android devices that are compatible with the eSense
Important note about Android devices for the eSense Pulse: Important note about Android devices for the eSense Respiration, Skin Response and Temperature: Alternatively, you can use any other adapter with a DAC chip. We recommend this adapter on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SnAUA1. Below are some Android devices that we have tested with the eSense Pulse, Respiration, Skin Response and Temperature and which work fine (whitelist). (Please note that this is only a very small sample and that the vast majority of devices worldwide work with the Mindfield eSense).
The following Android devices are NOT compatible with eSense Respiration, Skin Response and Temperature (blacklist). This list is not necessarily exhaustive. If you are not sure if your device is compatible, check if the microphone input is present as described above!
It is possible that these devices will work after all if you use the devices’ USB-C port instead. You can use a USB-C to 3.5 mm jack adapter for this purpose: https://amzn.to/2SnAUA1. 33. Adapter for Android and Apple devicesSome newer Android and iOS (Apple) devices without the classic 3.5mm headphone jack and with the newer Lightning / USB-C connector also work perfectly with the eSense. AppleYou either need an original Apple USB-C (https://amzn.to/2OQYssu) or original Apple Lightning (https://amzn.to/2SJVg37) to 3.5 mm connection adapter (not included in the scope of delivery of the eSense). Android & AppleAlternatively, you also can use any other adapter with a DAC chip. We recommend this adapter on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SnAUA1 An adapter is also only needed, if at all, for the eSense Skin Response, eSense Temperature and eSense Respiration (as these eSenses have a 3.5mm headphone jack). An adapter is never needed for the eSense Pulse and eSense Muscle (as these connect to the device wirelessly via Bluetooth®). 34. eSense Web AppIn addition to the app, we have also developed an eSense web app that mirrors and supplements the app. You can use this with the account and plans mentioned above. You can analyze your recorded data (with the basic plan) or even transfer your data to a PC in real time (live streaming with the premium plan). The main advantage of this is that you can see the graph even better with a large screen and enlarge individual areas and have more advanced analyze features. With the eSense Web App, you can also view measurements from several and different eSense simultaneously and in real time, which allows a professional trainer client to design the workflow. You can find the web app at https://esense.live. There you can login with the same account (username and password) as for the eSense app. For more information on the eSense Web App and its capabilities, see also our article on streaming eSense data. The eSense app works with all our eSense except the eSense EEGenius. 35. Account and CloudYou can register your own, free account for the eSense app and book plans. You can also benefit from free, regularly added procedures without booking a plan. Thus, we recommend using the app with an account. With the plans you can mainly use the cloud and its functions and get also access to the eSense web app at https://esense.live. With the Basic Plan, you can save your measurements locally and online in the cloud and thus access your measurements from all devices and from anywhere. You also get access to the eSense web app. The Premium Plan includes all functions of the Basis Plan. In addition to your measurements, you can also save your custom procedures online in the cloud and thus access your procedures from all devices. (Attention: Technical limitations from Apple unfortunately do not allow the upload (and thus the synchronization) of audio files. The synchronization of picture and video files is possible, however). You can buy the Premium Plan here: https://mindfield-shop.com/en/product/premium-plan-for-esense-app-for-all-esense-sensors-annually/ There is also the Supervisor Plan. As a professional or commercial biofeedback trainer, you can use it to create individual procedures for your clients and share them with them via the cloud. You can buy the Supervisor Plan here: https://mindfield-shop.com/en/product/esense-supervisor-account-monthly-subscription-for-esense-app-and-esense-live You can also share your measurements with other users. You also have the option of transferring your data to the eSense web app in real time. To do this, activate “Real-time data transfer to eSense Web App” at the bottom of the settings. These plans can be used, among other things, to design a trainer’s client’s workflow. You can find an overview of the account and the cloud in our account comparison article. You can book the plans in our app in the profile tab: 36. GroupsThe accounts enable you to create your own groups or to join other groups. This allows you to share your recordings with your friends. Or you can work with a trainer as a client since you can share your recordings with the trainer. Create a group Tap on the plus symbol to create a group. Edit a group Tap on the 3 dots next to the group name You can then (if authorized) view and remove the members of the group or add new members. 37. Privacy policyThe eSense App does not collect any personal data, such as name, gender, date of birth, etc.. Each recording of measurement data is done under a general prefix such as “measurement”, supplemented by with the eSense sensor used, the current date and time of the measurement. The recorded measurement data cannot therefore be assigned to any person. The prefix of a recording, e.g. “measurement”, can be changed by the user in the settings and used for the assignment to a person. Users can decide whether to change this prefix to their name, for example. Then each measurement and also each CSV file exported from it contains the name of the user in the file name. Access rights within the eSense App
Transmission of anonymous usage data and crash reportsIn order to improve the technical stability of the eSense App and the detection of code errors, we use the Sentry service. Sentry serves these purposes alone and does not evaluate any data for advertising purposes. The transmission takes place anonymously and only with an existing internet connection. Processed data Usage data, metadata (device ID, device data, IP address). Special protective measures: IP masking, immediate deletion. External Functional Software Disclosure: Functional Software Inc., Sentry, 132 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California 94107, USA. Privacy Policy: https://sentry.io/privacy/. Processing in third countries: USA Warranty for processing in third countries: Privacy Shield, https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TNDzAAO&status=Active. Deletion of the data: Information on the device or time of error is collected anonymously and is not used for personal purposes and then deleted. Medical information The Mindfield eSense sensors are not medical devices and may therefore only be used to reduce stress. If you suffer from an illness, do not carry out any treatment on your own and always consult a therapist. Warranty by the manufacturer The statutory warranty obligations apply to all our products. If you have any problems with our products, please contact us directly. See the “Contact” section of this manual. |