Customer Reviews

Basic GSR2 Biofeedback Relaxation System THE NEW ONE with CD!

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

designed the GSR2 in 1976. Yes, it has been around that long. Over the years over 600,000 were sold through the sharper Image, American express and dozens of other catalogs and to thousands of medical specialists, especially psychologists for use with their patients.

Indeed, I used it to do my doctoral research with Angina patients at McGill University's teaching hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiology Department. It was used to teach Angina patients to control increases in heart rate and blood pressure which leads to pain, with great success.

Does it accurately measure change in GSR activity. Absolutely. Is the change only due to movement artifact? Definitely not. You can clearly prove this using the extender electrodes which come with the GSR/Temp2 kit, since the Velcro band holds the electrodes in constant contact with your fingers. Similarly, if you followed the instructions in the manual which suggests the optional position of holding the unit upside down with the strap in place

"Place your first two fingers limply on the sensing plates; your thumb goes underneath the unit. Never press down or squeeze. Only your natural touch is needed, as the unit is designed to allow full and even contact, even if your fingers do not cover the complete length of the plates. If your hand needs steadying, flip the strap up. The strap is not absolutely necessary, however, it is recommended that you use it. Use it only to stop hand movement and help you maintain a light, even pressure on the plates. To adjust band tightness, gently pull the band out on both sides. Many people prefer to allow the GSR 2 monitor to rest upside down in the palm of their hand. Some people use the remote electrodes, to permit stable monitoring even while moving their hand."

The key is not to grasp the unit, but to let your hand rest gently on it or to let the unit rest gently in your hand.

As to the customer who claimed non-reactivity with the 'elastic stabilized' GSR2, I strongly suggest you were not getting a changing tone, because you were NOT changing YOUR GSR level. The GSR2 is extremely sensitive to changes in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). A rising tone indicates increased SNS activity and stress; conversely, a falling tone indicates decreased activity and relaxation. This is due to changes in skin pore size and electrolyte concentration in the pores.

If you question the efficacy of the GSR2, I suggest you look at the Thought Technology history page to see examples of how it has been used by 1000's of Olympic and professional athletes to teach relaxation and visualization skills for their sports, as well as by clinicians to use with their patients. Surely, they aren't training just movement artifact. I strongly suggest you test the unit again.

I designed the GSR2 because at the time, there were only large unwieldy laboratory style devices that required external electrodes. My goal was to make something ergonomic, which was totally self-contained, would run for years on a single 9 volt battery and which could be expanded to work with external sensors for temperature, respiration, meter display and PC.

In 1986, HES software sold our product for the PC as CalmPute. Leonard Nimoy was the spokesperson for company and was featured prominently on the CalmPute box. You can find loads more information at Thought Technology's website as well as just by doing a Google search.

The GSR2 reinforces the stress management techniques I learned from my psychologist to attain a state of calm relaxation. These techniques relieve pain generated by stress and anxiety. If you feel inexplicable pain or depression this device can help you cope with these symptoms.

The CD Rom which comes with the GSR2 provides a great summary of some helpful stress management techniques, such as breathing in rhythm and mental relaxation drills. I would recommend this product to anyone who has anxiety-related headaches.

I brought my first GSR-2 unit in 2001 and another one in Feb 2011. I love to use for 30mins to another on some days. It does help me relax at the time when I am using the GSR-2 unit. I have to be honest here, I use it for a day or two then stop for months or even years. So, I am not a religious user of GSR like some folks are. I can relax when I am using the gsr unit, however, I find the relaxation effect does not last. Of course, the effects from tranquilizers do not last either. That is why you have to take a new dose every few hours. Fair enough, however, the effects from tranquilizers are effective in real life situations. For example, You take xanax because you have anxiety attacks in public places. The effect from xanax will subdued your anxiety(while you are in public places)for as long as the drug chemicals are in effect in your body. The GSR-2 effect is not like that. I notice I can relax while I am using it. However, when I am in a stressful situation and I am not using the gsr unit, I can not apply the relaxation effects. Perhaps, I am not using it correctly or long enough. This is where the limitations of applicability/applying the effects separate psych drugs and biofeedbacks like GSR-2 units. The effects from drugs are automatic and the chemicals forced the effects onto your body. With Biofeedback like GSR-2, you have apply the effects of the unit onto your body or brain. The thing is, you use biofeedback because your body or brain isn't working well... In other words, you might not be able to effect the changes on your brain or body because either or both will not cooporate....

After I have said all of the above, I do think the GSR-2 unit is worth buying. It's important to develop your own plans for using this device, since the enclosed instructions may not work for you. It's also important to know what exactly do you plan to acommplished with this device, and be realistic about your goals. Sometimes, drugs or doctors might save you time and money in the long run. GSR-2 gives you feedback of only one psychobio response, which is your level of nervous tension. It shows you what is your nervous tension at the moment, you might be able to change it by lowering it at the time. You might not be able to lower it during stressful situation when you are not using the GSR unit. It's well known when people become stressful their hand skin temps go down and their heart beats go up. However, most folks can not successfully control their heart rates or hand skin temps during stressful situations... the same might apply for GSR for you as well.. Good luck to you folks who do buy this device. I hope you will have better luck with it than I. take care.

I have used this small, humble device to good effect for years in my second grade classroom (with parent permission). It helps even the most active children slow down, temporarily, and helps them to become aware of their physical state. There have been days when all three of my GSRs were in use simultaneously, especially after the hubris of lunchtime. I have used it myself, and, like my second grade colleague, became relaxed almost to the point of drowsiness after a few minutes. As long as you hold your fingers still, and pay attention, it's hard to avoid relaxing quickly and gaining an awareness of how subtle changes in thoughts and feelings affect your level of physiological arousal, largely anxiety, as reflected in the pitch of the GSR's tone. This self-awareness, like meditation or prayer, supports the recognition that we are continuously creating our responses to the world.

The GSR2 is a simple, effective and inexpensive adjunct to many self-help programs. Very effective as a accessory when doing yoga breathing and auto-hypnosis.
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What I like is the simplicity and frankly, the low cost.
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Small, the size of a computer mouse I can take it on a flight, and with the private listening earphones do a half hour of relaxation. Be prepared to discuss with curious seatmate. Very sturdy, mine is 15 years old and works fine.

I read the book The Stress Answer; and Dr. Lawlis suggested to find the most inexpensive Bio-Feedback device and that is when I purchased this. This has saved my nine-year-old grandson's emotional life. His anxiety was so high, that it affected his behavior at school and could have been expelled or forced to take meds.

I could start seeing the difference in three-days and he loves it. It has been about a month now, and he is becoming a normal child. He loves feeling relaxed and normal. He loves doing his bio-feedback.

Thanks...

Many years ago I got a GSR at Radio Shack for maybe 12 bucks. Worked great. If you search the web there are instructions for building your own.

Typical GSR in most respects but more solid than average.

I works okay. Oddly enough, the instructions refer to a pair of non-existent illustrations.

Instructions kind of fail to instruct; imho.

Lucky for me I already knew how it is supposed to work.

I got mine from "Bio-Medical" using their Amazon portal.

I initially took 2 stars off for not offering the complete GSR and thermometer kit via their Amazon portal, after reading my complaint they immediately offered the whole kit to Amazon Portal Customers !

That constitutes GREAT customer service responsiveness in my opinion.

I am impressed. If they bend over backwards to correct small item complaints; I bet you can trust them for big items too.

I use the GSR2 as part of an overall relaxation program during counseling. It's super easy to use and the CD is very helpful.

Out of date (obsolete?) device providing inaccurate sound signal (the device can be connected to a PC with the audio plug only !!).