Mindfield eSense sensors are used worldwide in scientific research. Independent researchers from universities and research institutions in the USA, Australia, Italy, China, and Germany use Mindfield’s mobile biofeedback sensors to measure and analyze physiological parameters such as skin conductance, heart rate variability, and respiratory activity.
To date, at least 14 peer-reviewed studies have been published in which eSense sensors were used as measurement instruments. The studies appeared in renowned journals such as Depression and Anxiety, Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio), Frontiers in Psychology, Psychological Medicine, and Behaviour Research and Therapy. The participating research institutions include Emory University Atlanta, Wayne State University Detroit, the University of Melbourne, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Columbia University New York, and the Università di Padova, among others.
Mindfield Biosystems manufactures measurement devices — not medical devices for diagnosis or treatment. The studies listed below were exclusively initiated and conducted by independent research groups, without involvement or commission by Mindfield Biosystems. The study results represent the findings of the respective research teams and are not claims made by Mindfield.
Reference Validation
eSense Skin Response: High Agreement with Biopac Lab Standard
Hinrichs et al. (2017) — Depression and Anxiety (Wiley) — Emory University, Atlanta
r = 0.94
Correlation coefficient eSense vs. Biopac lab device (simultaneous measurement)
In an independent pre-validation, researchers at Emory University directly compared the eSense Skin Response with the clinical lab system Biopac. Both systems were connected to the same participants simultaneously. The correlation coefficient of r = 0.94 indicates very high agreement of the measured skin conductance values. This validation was used as the methodological basis for all subsequent eSense studies by the research group.
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eSense Skin Response — Skin Conductance (EDA)
9 peer-reviewed studies
Mobile Skin Conductance Measurement in PTSD: Validation and Clinical Application
Hinrichs, R., Michopoulos, V., Winters, S. et al. | Depression and Anxiety | 2017
Researchers at Emory University Atlanta used the eSense Skin Response to measure skin conductance responses in 63 trauma-exposed adults. The study documented a correlation of r = 0.94 with the Biopac lab standard and showed that physiological responses could distinguish between individuals with and without a PTSD diagnosis (AUC = 0.79). This work is considered the most important independent validation study for the sensor.
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Elevated Skin Conductance Immediately After Trauma Predicts PTSD Risk
Hinrichs, R., van Rooij, S. J. H., Michopoulos, V. et al. | Chronic Stress | 2019
In this prospective longitudinal study (12-month follow-up) at the emergency department of Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, independent researchers recorded the skin conductance of 95 individuals within hours after a traumatic event using the eSense Skin Response. The study reported an AUC of 0.90 for distinguishing subsequent chronic PTSD trajectories — skin conductance response proved to be the strongest single predictor, stronger than trauma type or subjective severity ratings.
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Associations Between Trauma Sequelae in Children and Mobile Skin Conductance Measurement
Wiltshire, C. N., Wanna, C. P., Stenson, A. F. et al. | Behaviour Research and Therapy | 2022
Researchers at Wayne State University Detroit examined 56 children (mean age 9 years) with the eSense Skin Response during a standardized trauma interview. The study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), found significant associations between the number of traumatic events experienced and the magnitude of skin conductance response (r = 0.30). According to the authors, this is the first study to examine mobile skin conductance measurement in children in a clinical research setting.
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Skin Conductance Response as a Biomarker Candidate in Refugee Youth
Grasser, L. R., Saad, B., Bazzi, C. et al. | European Journal of Psychotraumatology | 2022
Wayne State University Detroit studied 86 Syrian and Iraqi youth (ages 7–17) who had been recently resettled in Michigan. Researchers used the eSense Skin Response in both home and laboratory settings. The study, the first of its kind with refugee youth according to the authors, found significant associations between trauma exposure and skin conductance response as well as with the symptom clusters of re-experiencing and hyperarousal.
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Bedside Skin Conductance Measurement in Stroke Patients
Meinhausen, C., Sanchez, G. J., Robles, T. F. et al. | Chronic Stress | 2023
Researchers from Columbia University and UCLA used the eSense Skin Response directly at the bedside of 98 stroke patients — in a measurement session of under 15 minutes. Usable data were obtained from 89.9 percent of participants. The study found significant associations between cumulative trauma burden and skin conductance reactivity to stroke-related memories (r = 0.23), demonstrating the practical applicability of the sensor under demanding clinical conditions.
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Skin Conductance Reactivity as a Predictor of PTSD Symptoms After Stroke
Meinhausen, C., Sanchez, G. J., Robles, T. F. et al. | Depression and Anxiety | 2023
In this prospective follow-up study (one-month follow-up, n = 64), the same researchers used the eSense Skin Response for measurements during hospitalization after stroke or TIA. Skin conductance reactivity predicted subsequent fear-based PTSD symptoms (r = 0.30 for higher-order fear symptoms). According to the authors, this is the first prospective study to examine physiological reactivity as an early biomarker for stroke-induced PTSD.
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Prospective Prediction of PTSD Severity in Traumatized Children Over Two Years
Wiltshire, C. N., Wanna, C. P., Stenson, A. F. et al. | Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders | 2024
In this prospective longitudinal study (two years), independent researchers used the eSense Skin Response to record the skin conductance of 43 children during a trauma interview. Two years later, the same researchers assessed the children’s PTSD symptom severity. The results showed: Children with moderate trauma exposure and elevated skin conductance response exhibited significantly greater PTSD symptoms two years later — even after statistical control for baseline symptomatology.
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Spirometry and Skin Conductance as Complementary Physiological Markers of Cognitive Load
Neukirchen, T., Stork, M., Hoppe, M. W., Vorstius, C. | Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio) | 2022
Researchers at the University of Wuppertal used the eSense Skin Response alongside a spirometer to compare the responses of both systems to cognitive load and emotional stress. The study, published in Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio), documented that skin conductance and respiratory gas parameters represent complementary physiological markers: EDA responded more strongly to emotional stress, while spirometry was more sensitive to cognitive demands.
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Brief Hypnosis Session Reduces Sympathetic Stress Response in Dentists
Queirolo, L., Facco, E., Roccon, A. et al. | Frontiers in Psychology | 2025
Researchers at the Università di Padova used the eSense Galvanometer (eSense Skin Response) as the primary measurement instrument in a controlled intervention study with 20 dentists. After a ten-minute guided hypnosis session, the researchers found a significant decrease in skin conductance responses (p = 0.002, Cohen’s d = 0.724). The Bayesian analysis yielded strong evidence for the observed changes (BF+0 = 20.7).
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eSense Skin Response & eSense Pulse — Combined Sensor Use
2 peer-reviewed studies
Ashwagandha Formulation (Zenroot™) and Physiological Stress Measurement: Randomized Double-Blind Study
Mahadevan et al. | Advances in Therapy | 2025
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (n = 90, 84 days), independent researchers in India used both the eSense Skin Response (EDA measurement) and the eSense Pulse (HRV measurement) as objective physiological measurement tools. This is the only published RCT to date in which both Mindfield sensors were simultaneously used as primary measurement instruments. The EDA measurements showed significant changes on measurement days 14, 28, and 84; the HRV parameters RMSSD and SDNN showed significant changes on day 14.
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Emotional Response Discordance and Alexithymia in Trauma-Exposed Adults
Putica, A., O’Donnell, M. L., Felmingham, K. L., Van Dam, N. T. | Psychological Medicine | 2022
Researchers at the University of Melbourne used eSense Pulse and eSense Skin Response in combination in this laboratory study (n = 74 trauma-exposed adults) to measure heart rate and skin conductance simultaneously. The study examined the discordance between subjective experience and physiological arousal in alexithymia. The researchers report that this is the first empirical investigation specifically examining how alexithymia influences emotional concordance in trauma survivors.
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eSense Respiration — Breathing Biofeedback
1 peer-reviewed study
Breathing Biofeedback Reduces Situational Anxiety During Dental Procedures: Randomized Controlled Trial
Wong, N. S. M., Yeung, A. W. K., McGrath, C. P., Leung, Y. Y. | International Dental Journal | 2025
In this single-blind randomized controlled trial (n = 60), researchers at the University of Hong Kong used the eSense Respiration as the primary measurement instrument for patients during tooth extraction under local anesthesia. The biofeedback group received real-time breathing data fed back through smart glasses. The researchers found significantly lower situational anxiety scores post-procedure (STAI-State, p = 0.015), a lower respiratory rate (p = 0.03), and a greater decrease in pulse rate (p = 0.030) in the biofeedback group. To current knowledge, this is the first published RCT using the eSense Respiration as the primary measurement instrument.
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Research Institutions Worldwide Trust Mindfield Sensors
The 14 published studies come from research groups at renowned universities and institutes, including Emory University Atlanta, Wayne State University Detroit, University of Melbourne, Columbia University New York, UCLA (University of California Los Angeles), Università di Padova, and the University of Wuppertal. All studies were initiated and conducted without involvement of Mindfield Biosystems.
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Mindfield manufactures mobile biofeedback sensors for skin conductance, heart rate variability, and respiratory activity, suitable for use in controlled and field-based research environments. Get in touch — we are happy to advise you on device selection, technical specifications, and purchasing options.
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