A Guide to Cleaner Skin Temperature Recordings and More Versatile Use of Your Thermistor

Abstract

Valid peripheral temperature measurements ensure the integrity of client assessment and biofeedback training. Accurate measurements require understanding of the signal and potential influences on measurement fidelity, and developing bulletproof monitoring procedures. In addition to their use in temperature biofeedback, thermistors can assist heart rate variability biofeedback practice and monitor breathing when a respirometer is not available.

Self-regulation training improves stress resilience in elite pre-pubescent female gymnasts

“…It was carried out using a Sue Wilson profile “Optimizing performance and health suite” ( Wilson, 2006 ), a standardised suite of 6 different stress tasks (Stroop Colour test, Math test, React Track Game, Dual Tracking Game, Anticipation and Brief Stressor) ( Mehling et al, 2012 ), via ProComp Infiniti™ T7500M Biofeedback System manufactured by Thought Technology (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), with a BioGraph Infiniti™ software (version 6.0). The recorded signals included peripheral temperature (T, a sensor placed on the middle finger of the non-dominant hand) ( Shaffer et al, 2016 ), skin conductance level (SCL, two separate sensors, placed on the index and pinky fingers of the non-dominant hand) ( Boucsein, 2012 ; Peek, 2017 ), muscle activity (EMG electrode positioned on the right trapezius) ( Arena et al, 1995 ), blood volume pressure (BVP, via a sensor placed on the index finger of the non-dominant hand) ( Peper et al, 2006 ) and respiration rate (RR, strain-gauged belt, placed around the midsection of the abdomen and installed in an upright position during a maximal inhalation) ( Ferguson et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Informed by the prior literature on the subject, two physiological parameters (i.e., skin conductance level and peripheral skin temperature) were chosen as biofeedback training modalities. Both the electrodermal (skin conductance) and thermal (peripheral skin temperature) biofeedback have been found as suitable modalities for a stress-regulation intervention ( Shaffer et al, 2016 ; Schwartz and Andrasik, 2017 ; Candia-Rivera et al, 2022 ). The stress response was elicited in a standardised setting and both the profile and the intensity of the participants’ stress response were gauged across different physiological parameters ( Yu et al, 2018 ; Slavikova et al, 2020 ).…”

Biofeedback in Clinical Psychology: Modalities and Perspectives

“…Body temperature is also regulated by autonomic response, and a reduction of blood flow in these areas is an indication of high stress level whereas passivity is related to higher temperature. Therefore the relationship between body temperature and stress is inverse: the higher is the stress, the lower is the body temperature [24].…”

Self-Regulation training improves stress resilience in Elite Pre-Pubescent Female Gymnasts

“…via ProComp In niti™ T7500M Biofeedback System manufactured by Thought Technology (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), with a BioGraph In niti™ software (version 6.0). The recorded signals included peripheral temperature (a sensor placed on the middle nger of the non-dominant hand)(Shaffer et al, 2016), skin conductance level (two separate sensors, placed on the index and pinky ngers of the non-dominant hand)(Boucsein, 2012;Peek, 2017), muscle activity (EMG electrode positioned on the right trapezius)(Arena et al, 1995), blood volume pressure (BVP, via a sensor placed on the index nger of the non-dominant hand)(Peper et al, 2006) and respiration rate (RR, strain-gauged belt, placed around the midsection of the abdomen and installed in an upright position during a maximal inhalation)(Ferguson et al, 2020).The Wilson test suite comprises multiple stress and recovery phases, spread across 14 activities, of which 6 stress tasks (Stroop Colour test, Math test, ReackTrack Game, Dual Tracking Game, Anticipation and Brief Stressor), preceded by two baselines (eyes closed and eyes open). Each stress task is followed by a recovery phase.…”