Understanding EDA

Electrodermal biofeedback. Feedback obtained from electrical activity at various skin sites is referred to as Electrodermal biofeedback. Specific measures of elec- trodermal feedback include galvanic skin response (GSR), skin conductance re- sponse (SCR), skin resistance response (SRR), skin conductance level (SCL), skin. resistance level (SRL), an

According to Zaichkowsky and Fuchs (1988), all studies that use temperature biofeedback as a treatment for athletic anxiety incor- porate EDA biofeedback training as a mode to learn state anxiety control. It seems that complete training of the autonomic nervous system via biofeedback for anxi- ety reduction should include EDA biofeedback training f

EDA and skin temperature biofeedback may be used together (Zaichkowsky & Fuchs, 1988) and in conjunction with other relaxation techniques to institute a re- laxation response that might be used to combat precompetition anxiety

EDA has been recognized as distinctively sensitive to transitory emotional states and mental events, while often remaining more or less independent of other biofeedback measures such as muscle tension and skin temperature.

Electrical conductance increases with skin moisture because current flows more easily through the salty moisture on the skin surface, and conductivity decreases as moisture decreases

According to Peek (1987), it is not clear how one would easily determine whether a sweat gland was “on,,’ how much sweat was being secreted, or how many such glands were active. However, since sweat contains salts that make it electrically conductive, sweaty skin is more conductive to electricity than dry skin. Hence, skin conduc- tance activity (S