Basic Principles of Skin Temperature Biofeedback

The temperature at the surface of the skin changes accordingly to the circulation of blood through body tissue. The arterioles which cross through the tissue, are surrounded by fibres of smooth muscles and are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.

During a state of increased exertion, exitement and stress, the muscles are forced to contract, causing a stenosis of vasculature. This leads to a reduction of skin temperature, since the blood circulation of the tissue is reduced. In contrast, during a state of relaxation, the musculature is also bound to relax, causing the vasculature to expand and the skin temperature rises.

The skin temperature also depends upon the temperature of the environment which is why it is necessary to measure in consistent surroundings. The user should take approx. 5 Minutes to get used to the environment, in order for the organism to adapt to the room temperature.



The feedback of skin temperature measurement is mostly used for relaxation exercises. It is easy to learn, easy to operate and has a high rate of success and constant well-being for the user. An especially effective and commonly used method is the "training of hand warming" as the most simple form of biofeedback. Here, the sensor is installed either to the index-finger or the middle-finger. The hand warming-training enables the user to increase the skin temperature in his fingers, by giving him a feedback of it, thus increasing the blood circulation of the hands. The hand warming-training is successfully used for specific dysfunctions like megrim, hypertension and disturbed blood flow.

Optimal Biofeedback via Modern Hard- and Software

The Mindfield skin temperature sensor is a small-sized and handy sensor for temperature measurement. It has a USB-connection and comes with a USB-device and the proper software. The sensor is easily connected to a PC with the provided cable and is automatically activated. There is no need for a separate installation. The same counts for the software which is automatically started from the USB-stick. It allows for measurement and recording of temperature and sends diverse visual and acoustical feedbacks. Furthermore, it includes devices for proper analysis and statistics and offers an export function of the data to Microsoft Excel.

The recorded data is immediately stored to the USB-stick, thus it can be transported right away. For example, the sensor can be used by a doctor, who then gives it to his patient for proper home exercise. The patient can then bring the USB-stick back to the practice for evaluation.

Included in Delivery of the Skin Temperature Sensor:

• Highly accurate thermo-sensor with USB-connection
• Fastener for the head of the sensor
• USB-cable
• Software on USB-stick
• Printed manual
• Bag