Work 57 (2017) 233–243 233

DOI:10.3233/WOR-172553
IOS Press

Stress monitoring through non-invasive

instrumental analysis of skin conductivity
Anurag Joshia,b,∗ , Ravi Kirana and Ash Narayan Saha
a School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Thapar University, Patiala, Punjab, India
b Electrical Engineering, Thapar Polytechnic College, Patiala, Punjab, India

Received 15 February 2016

Accepted 22 November 2016

Abstract.
BACKGROUND: This paper envelops the notion of yogic breathing and its applications as one of the techniques for
stress management through regulation of skin conductivity among Indian engineering students. Stress perturbs the normal
physiological or psychological functioning of an individual. Thus, it is extremely vital to manage stress.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the consequence of yogic breathing on skin conductivity using galvanic skin response sensor
meter (GSRSM) on engineering students, of different universities.
METHODS: The study uses stratified random sampling technique for the experimental study undertaken to measure skin
conductivity. 471 Engineering students, in the age group of 18–22 years who gave informed written consent were screened, of
which 71 (15%) dropped out and 400 students (84.9%) completed the study. The GSRSM was used to record skin conductivity
(pre and post) among experimental (n = 200) and Control group (n = 200) each comprising of 52 females (26%) and 148 males
(74%). The Experimental group underwent yogic breathing whereas the Control group did not do so.
RESULTS: The experimental group reported reduction in mean value in skin conductivity after deep breathing for the time
period (t = 300 sec) as compared to the control group, and this was significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: It is recommended that, this uncomplicated and yet extremely effectual ancient technique of yogic breathing
could be included in core curriculum to reduce and manage stress among engineering students. The paper thus highlights the
use of yogic technique as an effective mode for Stress Management amongst Indian Engineering students.

Keywords: Engineering students, yogic breathing, tumbling stress, GSR sensor meter, skin conductivity, z-test

1. Introduction set for oneself etc. As the stressors accumulate in

Stress is simply a reaction to a stimulus that
disturbs our physical or mental equilibrium. For
students, there are many academic stressors like
changes in culture or environment, pressures related
to finances and family, conflicts with colleagues and
frustrations due to non-performance in class etc.
Other stressors could be self-imposed stresses like
conflict of interest in studies, non-achievable targets
∗ Address
for correspondence: Anurag Joshi, Research Scholar,
School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Thapar University,
Patiala 147004, Punjab, India. Tel.: +91 9501116198; E-mail:
anurag.joshi@thapar.edu.
a student’s life, the use of psychological and physi-
cal resources is reduced. Stress management involves
controlling and reducing the stress that occurs in
demanding situations and causes emotional and phys-
ical changes. The reason to manage stress was the
prime reason inducing the authors to accomplish
research in the current area. The strategy was planned
on the basis of Psycho-analysis carried out by the
researchers [1–5]. Psycho-analysis is both a theory of
the human mind and a therapeutic practice. Stress can
be monitored through physiological parameters of the
body [6]. Anjana et al. [7] recommended that chil-
dren must be screened regularly for blood pressure to

1051-9815/17/$35.00 © 2017 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved
234 A. Joshi et al. / Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity
detect the prevalence of Hypertension. Villmann et al.
[8] investigated in an exemplary single-case study, the
behavior of psycho-physiological variables in psy-
chotherapy sessions. Past decades have witnessed a
broad diversity of new methods for learning the func-
tioning of different systems involved in the control
of sentiments. Psycho-physiological measures are
widely used to appreciate the functioning of internal
systems of the body in reply to an emotional and phys-
iological stimulus. In a typical psycho-physiological
experiment, some emotional or behavioral or physio-
logical stimulus is applied and psychological changes
are observed. Hence, in this study yogic breath-
ing is used as stimulus and its effects are observed
on physiological parameter i.e. skin conductivity,
measured through GSR Sensor meter. Further, as
observed by earlier researchers GSR is a pointer
of Stress.
1.1. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) is a psycho-
physiological phenomenon exhibited by skin con-
taining sweat glands [9]. It is a transient change in
certain electrical properties of the skin linked with
the sweat gland activity and elicited by any stimulus
that induces an arousal or orienting response. This
change is caused by an interface between ecological
events and the individual’s psychological state. It is a
technique of capturing the autonomic nerve response
as a parameter of the sweat gland function (i.e., mea-
suring the electrical conductance of the skin). GSR
varies with its moisture level. Although there are no
absolute levels of GSR indicative of high workload or
stress, GSR is a relative pointer of stress. GSR Sen-
sor Meter is a non-invasive electronic instrument used
to measure Skin conductivity from the fingers. GSR
reflects sweat gland activity and changes in the sym-
pathetic nervous system. The activity of the sweat
glands in response to sympathetic nervous stimu-
lation (increased sympathetic activation) results in
an increase in the level of conductance [10]. Das &
Anand [11] revealed a significant effect on GSR val-
ues as an effect of meditation. With the practice of
meditation, the GSR value or skin conductivity gets
reduced and this leads to decrease in the stress level
of an individual.
As reported by researchers, GSR is an evaluator
of stress [28, 39, 48]. The GSR readings of a per-
son depend on his/her emotional reactions which
affect the salt and water in his/her sweat gland ducts.
As per the manual, the range of 75 (stressed) to
50 (unstressed) is specified [39]. However it may
also vary from person to person due to variation in
the physiological parameters [39]. The present study
additionally underlines the significance of appli-
cation of GSR technology in our routine life as
a bio feedback sensor, especially for the students
[49, 50].
1.2. Yogic breathing
It is done by contracting the diaphragm (a mus-
cle located horizontally between the chest cavity and
stomach cavity). Air enters the lungs and the belly
expands during deep breathing. Yogic breathing, also
known as abdominal breathing or deep breathing, is
marked by expansion of the abdomen rather than the
chest during breathing. It is considered as a healthier
way to breathe and is a useful form of complementary
and alternative treatment.
2. Theoretical frame work
College life is a stressful time for many students
as they go through the process of adapting to new
educational and social environments. Our present
educational system has become more mechanical and
it fails to nurture an all-round development of the
personality of the students. Relationships among life
stress, social support and academic stressors were
also investigated [12]. Important differences in the
perceptions of academic stressors and reactions to
stressors amongst student participants were found
[13].
Joshi et al. [14] proposed the development of stress
management laboratory in Indian educational institu-
tions, using modern electronic instruments. The study
proposes some scientifically proven stress relaxation
therapies to be used for monitoring of physiologi-
cal parameters leading to managing mental stress for
students. Since the stress or depression in students
may force them to hook on to drugs or to commit
suicide, due to poor grades or any other reason, Rao
[15] focused on the latest suicidal incidents of IIT-
Bombay, which lead to setting up of a committee
to look into the changes that need to be brought.
This includes counseling services to be offered by
the institute.
Many researchers studied the applications of
psycho-physiological analysis. Brown [16], pub-
lished a proposal for a standardized terminology that
has been widely accepted. The GSR analysis under
 A. Joshi et al. / Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity
various stimuli has been used by several researchers.
Aberg [17] examined electrical changes in human
skin. Kreibig [18] opined that emotion is often asso-
ciated with expressive behaviour, such as smiling
and with peripheral physiological responding such
as heart rate changes, sweating and skin resistance
changes. These physiological changes are measured
to assess the functioning of the autonomic nervous
system (ANS) in response to an emotional stimu-
lus. GSR sensor meter is able to detect different
states of each user with a success rate of 76.56%
[30]. GSR requires the presence of active sweat
glands, which are brought into action by the sympa-
thetic nervous system [19]. It is believed that sweat
rises in ducts, spreads laterally, hydrating the stratum
comeum and reduces its resistance thereby increas-
ing conductance. Montagna [20] found (other than
sweat gland activity) the epidermal membranes of
the skin becoming permeable in response to neural
stimuli, thereby decreasing skin resistance. GSR is
used as the physiological measure in this experiment.
Wiech & Tracey [21] concluded that the sensory
processes in behaviour and emotional experience
are a subject matter of psychophysics. The relation
between meditative techniques like yogic breathing,
Buddhist mindfulness, transcendental meditation and
their effect on physiological parameters like GSR
(stress) have already been established. Meditation is
known to have a remarkable effect on the mental
state of practitioners [22–24]. Many scientific stud-
ies have been conducted on its ability to reduce stress
and anxiety [25]. Jerath et al. [26] and Wallace [27]
reported that skin conductance varies during medita-
tion. It yields a continuous measure that is related
to activity in the sympathetic branch of the auto-
nomic nervous system [28]. Obrist [29] concluded
that the magnitude of the skin resistance difference
was significantly reduced in the subjects during stim-
ulation. Brown [16] and Villarejo et al. [30] have
reported GSR as a function of stress. It yields a
continuous measure that is related to activity in the
sympathetic branch of the ANS. Salam [31] described
GSR, a well-known somatic marker, useful in mon-
itoring objective bodily response, during music
experience.
Bernardi et al. [32] explored how breathing and
mental stress affect heart rate variability (HRV).
Kaur et al. [33] investigated the effects of yogic
exercises with abdominal breathing on physiological
parameters in women and found highly encouraging
results. Even breathing rate is significantly affected
by bathing in the Turkish bath, which is a source
235
of high temperature and moisture [34]. Thus, in
the present research, GSR biofeedback with Yogic
breathing has been tried to find out whether it can
be recommended as an effective stress monitoring
and destressing technique. There is ample literature
supporting yogic breathing and also other yogic exer-
cises to reduce stress. Chang [35] found that a ten
week Tai-Chi and yoga educational training program
covering yogic breathing have a positive influence
on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress mea-
sures. It is effective for improving health fitness for
females. Kumar et al. [36] concluded that practice
of yoga helps to improve the immunity of the stu-
dents. Stress and yogic relaxation techniques have a
soothing effect on pain perception [37]. Pranayama
breathing exercises were found to improve lung func-
tions in coronary artery disease CAD patients and
can be used as a complimentary therapy for their
rehabilitation [38].
2.1. The present study has been taken with the
following objectives
i. To study the skin conductivity value using GSR
Sensor meter, without any treatment (pre and
post)
ii To study the skin conductivity value using GSR
Sensor meter, undergoing yogic breathing (pre
and post)
3. Methodology
The method adopted for sampling was stratified
random sampling. Two strata of state universities of
engineering (one private and other government) were
chosen The sub strata of four branches from each
university were formed and the study was executed
in two phases, mentioned as below:
3.1. Phase 1
Initial study was conducted on 471 Engineer-
ing students (who volunteered), from various four
streams i.e. Civil, Computer, Electronics and Com-
munication and Mechanical Engineering in the age
group of 18 to 22 years. They were selected from
two state universities of engineering (one private and
other government as mentioned above). The details
are shown through Table 1. These two universities are
rated high in both State and rankings.
236 A. Joshi et al. / Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity

Table 1 Table 3
Detail of the subjects Detail of the subjects for experimental group studies
Type of University Trade Total Type of University Trade Females Males Total
Government University Civil Engineering 56 Government Civil Engineering 3 22 25
of Engineering Computer Engineering 60 University of Computer 14 11 25
Electronics and Communication 54 Engineering Engineering
Engineering Electronics and 9 16 25
Mechanical Engineering 58 Communication
Private University Civil Engineering 56 Engineering
of Engineering Computer Engineering 63 Mechanical 1 24 25
Electronics and Communication 61 Engineering
Engineering Private University Civil Engineering 1 24 25
Mechanical Engineering 63 of Engineering Computer 11 14 25
Total 471 Engineering
Electronics and 13 12 25
Communication
Engineering
Table 2 Mechanical zero 25 25
Detail of the subjects for control group studies Engineering
52 148 200
Type of University Trade Females Males Total
Government Civil Engineering 3 22 25
University of Computer 14 11 25
Engineering Engineering 3.3. Procedure
Electronics and 9 16 25
Communication
In this experimentation, the authors investigated
Engineering
Mechanical 1 24 25 the effects of undergoing yogic breathing on phys-
Engineering iological parameter skin conductivity, which was
Private University Civil Engineering 1 24 25 monitored through digital electronic based GSR sen-
of Engineering Computer 11 14 25
Engineering
sor meter. As shown in Tables 2 and 3, there were
Electronics and 13 12 25 400 engineering students aged 18–22 years. After
Communication gaining permission from ethical committee for con-
Engineering ducting this experimental study, the respondents from
Mechanical zero 25 25
Engineering both the groups were also requested to sign a consent
52 148 200 form. For experimental recordings, Galvanic Skin
Response (GSR) sensor meter, manufactured by psy-
chometric research, London (UK) was used [39]. This
GSR meter (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) was used to
3.2. Phase 2 carry out non-destructive testing on the participants.
While undergoing yogic breathing the frequency
Then final selection of 400 subjects is shown in had to be controlled. The routine frequency of breath-
Tables 2 and 3. The students were short-listed on the ing is usually 15 cycles per minute (hertz). But here
basis of their self-observation reported, as well in the the participants were trained to undergo at 6 cycles
interview about exhibiting stress. per minute (hz), which means inhaling for 5 seconds
The group of 400 students were classified on basis and exhaling for 5 seconds (10 seconds in total for
of age {<20 years (84), = 20 years (134) and >20 years one cycle of inhaling and exhaling). Hence, this train-
(182)}, gender {males (296) and females (104)}, type ing was given to experimental group students during
of family {nuclear (300) and joint (100)}Religion March 1 to March 31, 2015. The control group was
{Hindu (291), Sikh (108) and others (1)}. not exposed to this technique.
They were classified as control group (200 stu- The steps followed for experimental group
dents as shown is Table 2) and experimental group (Table 3) were as below:
(200 students as shown is Table 3). Both the groups
were formed from a similar population. The experi- i. The subject sat in a comfortable and relaxing
mental group had revealed high willingness for yogic chair.
breathing exercise and they wished to get their skin ii. The hand portion was made fully moisture free.
conductivity level monitored through GSR sensor iii. The meter electrodes were attached to fore-
meter. finger and first finger of the hand.
 A. Joshi et al. / Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity
Fig. 1. Digital GSR Sensor Meter to measure Galvanic Skin
Response (GSR).
Fig. 2. GSR Meter attached to hand fingers.
iv. The initial reading of the Skin Conductivity
(micro siemen) was recorded using GSR meter
at t = zero sec.
v The subject was told to undergo yogic breathing
@ 6 Hz.
vi. The subject was made to undergo yogic breath-
ing for 300 seconds.
vii. Meanwhile, the meter was kept attached to the
participant for 300 seconds.
viii. Again the reading of the skin conductivity was
recorded at t = 300 seconds.
ix. The same process was repeated for all 200 stu-
dents.
237
Fig. 3. GSR Meter with Laptop and stopwatch.
The instructions for the use of meter were followed
as given in its manual [39].
The same steps were followed for control group
(Table 2) except that they did not undergo yogic
breathing. Thus, there was absence of step (vi.) for
control group.
This above testing was carried out from April 11
to May 24, 2015 (during 44 days for all 400 students
in two groups of 200 each). The meter testing was
repeated for all 400 students in the way, as shown for
few in Figs. 3–7.
3.4. Hypotheses
H1 There is a significant difference in the skin con-
ductivity value of control group not undergoing
yogic breathing for t = zero second (before)
and t = 300 seconds (after).
H2 There is a significant difference in the skin
conductivity value of experimental group
undertaking yogic breathing for t = zero second
(before) and t = 300 seconds (after).
H3 There is a significant difference in the skin con-
ductivity value, of control and experimental
group undergoing yogic breathing for t = 300
seconds.
4. Results and discussion
The results of the study have been discussed in
this section for the control and experimental group.
Z-tests have been used for studying the differences.
4.1. Control group
As reflected from Table 4, the mean value of skin
conductivity = 63.58 for t = 0 seconds (pre) and the
238 A. Joshi et al. / Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity

Fig. 4. GSR Meter attached to one of the subjects.

Fig. 5. GSR Meter attached to one of the subjects.
mean value of Skin Conductivity = 68.69 for t = 300
seconds (post) for control group not exposed to yogic
breathing exercise. There is a variance of 198.56 and
208.14 for pre and post session. As z Stat = 3.57, is
greater than value of z Critical two-tail (1.95∗ and
2.57∗∗ ) and p-value (two tail) is less than significance
levels of 0.01 as well as 0.05, thus hypothesis H1 is
accepted. Hence, there is a significance difference
in the skin conductivity value of control group not
exposed to yogic breathing (pre and post). In fact
here the mean value increased from 63.58 (t = zero
seconds) to 68.69 (t = 300 seconds) which shows Fig. 6. GSR Meter attached to one of the subjects.
increase in skin conductivity (post) for control group.

4.2. Experimental group

The experimental group undertook yogic breath-

ing following a demonstration of the right technique
to be used. It can be noticed from Table 5 that the
mean value of skin conductivity was 71.14 before
yogic breathing and the mean value of skin conduc-
tivity was 63.95 after yogic breathing. The variance
of 236.47 and 286.95 respectively was recorded for
the experimental group. As shown through statistical Fig. 7. GSR Meter attached to one of the subjects.
 A. Joshi et al. / Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity 239

analysis in Table 5 the mean value for pre- session and value of z Stat is 4.43, which is greater than value
was 71.14 and was greater than Mean value for post- of z Critical two-tail (1.95∗ and 2.57∗∗ ). The p value is
session (63.95). Thus, there is a decrease in the value also significant. So hypothesis H2 has been accepted.
Thus, there is a significant difference in the skin con-
Table 4 ductivity for pre and post session for the experimental
Statistical analysis for control group (Pre & Post) skin
conductivity
group exposed to yogic breathing. However, impor-
tantly, the mean value decreased from 71.14 (t = Zero
z-Test: Two Sample for Means Control Group
second) to 63.95 (t = 300 seconds).
t = 0 sec t = 300 sec
As shown through statistical analysis in Table 6, the
Mean 63.58 68.69
Known Variance 198.56 208.14 mean value (68.69) for post-session in control group
Observations 199 199 is greater than mean value (63.95) for the post-session
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0 in the experimental group. There is a decrease in the
z –3.57 value and value of z Stat is 3.00, which is greater than
P(Z< = z) two-tail 0.0003
(1% and 5% significance level) the value of z Critical two-tail (1.95∗ and 2.57∗∗ ). The
z Critical two-tail 1.95∗ p value 0.002 (two tail) is less than significance levels
(5% significance level) of 0.01 as well as 0.05. So the hypothesis H3 has also
z Critical two-tail 2.57∗∗
been accepted. Thus, there is a significant difference
(1% significance level)
∗: in the skin conductivity for post session value in the
0.05; ∗∗ : 0.01.
control and experimental groups.
Table 5 To go deeper into analysis regression was used
Statistical analysis experimental group (Pre and Post) skin with skin conductivity readings after t = 300 seconds
conductivity
as dependent variable and the independent variables
z-Test: Two Sample Experimental Group include: 1# age, 2# branch, 3 # university, 4 #gen-
for Means (Undergoing Yogic breathing)
der, 5 #religion, 6 #type of family, 7 #group (control
t = 0 sec t = 300 sec
or experimental). The results of regression model are
Mean 71.14 63.95
Known Variance 236.47 286.95 shown in Table 8. The related regression equation is:
Observations 199 199
Hypothesized Mean 0
Table 7
Difference
Mean skin conductivity value pre and post for control and
z 4.43
experimental groups
P(Z< = z) two-tail 9.25 E-06∗
(1% and 5% significance S No. Type of Group with t = 0 sec t = 300 sec
level) Mean value (Basal Value) (Post Value)
z Critical two-tail 1.95∗ 1 Mean Value for Control 63.58 68.69
(5% significance level) Group
z Critical two-tail 2.57∗∗ 2 Mean Value for Experimental 71.14 63.95
(1% significance level) Group
∗: 0.05; ∗∗ : 0.01.

Table 6
Statistical analysis for post values of skin conductivity of control and experimental groups
z-Test: Two Sample for Means Post Value of Control Group and
Experimental Group
Control Group Experimental Group
t = 300 sec (Post) t = 300 sec (Post)
Mean 68.69 63.95
Known Variance 208.14 286.95
Observations 199 199
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
z 3.00
P(Z< = z) two-tail 0.002
(1% and 5% significance level)
z Critical two-tail 1.95∗
(5% significance level)
z Critical two-tail 2.57∗∗
(1% significance level)
∗: 0.05; ∗∗ : 0.01.
240 A. Joshi et al. / Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity

Table 8
Regression Model
Source SS df MS Number of obs = 400
Model 1738549.47 7 248364.21 Prob > F = 0.0000
Residual 126400.906 393 321.630805 R-squared = 0.9322
-------------+------------------------------ Adj R-squared = 0.9310
Total 1864950.37 400 4662.37594 Root MSE = 17.934
var | Coef. Std. Err. t P > |t| [95% Conf. Interval]
var1 | 5.155737 1.142679 4.51 0.000 2.90921 7.402265
var2 | 3.923801 0.7756341 5.06 0.000 2.398889 5.448712
var3 | 6.856883 1.697656 4.04 0.000 3.51926 10.19451
var4 | 12.42912 1.855987 6.70 0.000 8.780213 16.07802
var5 | 9.264405 1.838738 5.04 0.000 5.649412 12.8794
var6 | 3.087823 1.919939 1.61 0.109 –0.6868122 6.862459
var7 | 1.534131 1.670366 0.92 0.359 –1.74984 4.818102
Var.1# age, 2# branch, 3# university, 4# gender, 5# religion, 6# type of family; Var. 7# group (control or experi-
mental); SS = sum of squares; MS = mean square; df = degree of freedom; MSE: Mean Square error.

Stress = f(age, branch, university, gender,
religion, type of family, group)
The results depict that all the variables are pos-
itively related with skin conductivity reading after
t = 300 seconds. Further, results indicate that p is not
significant for variable 6 (type of family) and variable
7 (group type). The p-value for F test is significant
depicting that the regression model is acceptable.
The value of Adjusted R2 is 0.93 depicting that
93.22 % variance being explained by the variables
included in the model. As can be seen from stan-
dardized coefficient (Beta) factor 4 (gender) is most
important predictor with B-value of 12.42 (p ≤ 0.05);
followed by factor 5 (religion) B-value of 9.26; Fac-
tor 3 (university) with B-value 6.85; Factor 1 (age)
with B-value of 5.15; and Factor 2 (Trade) with B-
value of 3.92. Factor 6 (type of family) and 7 (group
type) do not influence the skin conductivity readings.
Thus, the regression model has chosen gender, reli-
gion, university, trade and type of family as important
predictors of skin conductivity.
5. Conclusion
The findings support the existing literature and
there is a potential benefit to both industry and engi-
neering students in adoption of the findings. Deep
breathing technique is able to control blood pressure
and in turn the level of stress of engineering students
[40]. Earlier the low back pain relief was attained
using non-invasive devise therapy [41]. Facilitation
of stress management programs in the workplace
is necessary to have healthier employees [42].
Sutarto investigated the potential application of heart
(1) rate variability (HRV) bio-feedback for operator’s
performance enhancement and the study demon-
strates potential application of HRV bio-feedback for
enhancing operator’s performance. The performance
is associated with increases in HRV [43]. Stress man-
agement interventions are being implemented beyond
traditional strategies of routine occupational medical
surveillance [44]. Green-exercise at the workplace
could be a profitable way to manage stress and
induce restoration among employees [45]. A study
on graduates indicated that a clinical experience in
mental health did contribute significantly to their
holistic practice skills [46]. The findings depict
students experience as a function of the individ-
ual (self) factors, the interpersonal (social) factors
and the environmental (school) factors as well as
their interrelations. Interventions must be designed
to deal with all these three areas and their interac-
tions. The model can be used to guide universities
in designing interventions; however, a fourth level
that incorporates a university policy that values
and supports student mental health, needs to be
embraced [47].
In the current study, the results reflected that yogic
breathing had a significant effect on skin conductivity
(as it was found to be reduced extensively for stu-
dents who undertook deep breathing exercise). The
skin conductivity was recorded through GSR sensor
meter, a non-invasive device. In the control group
GSR readings were found to be increased, as these
students were not exposed to yogic-breathing tech-
nique. Table 7 shows the results. The mean basal value
was low 63.58 (at t = zero) for control group, where as
it was high 71.14 (at t = zero) for experimental group.
 A. Joshi et al. / Stress monitoring through non-invasive instrumental analysis of skin conductivity
Then at t = 300 seconds it was found that it decreased
(63.95) for experimental group and increased for
control group (68.69). This also signifies that stress
(in terms of skin conductivity) increased for con-
trol group, but decreased for the experimental group.
Hence, it proves the significance of application of
skin conductivity meter as a bio-feed back sensor in
our routine life especially for the students. So during
student life, this practice may boost a student’s effi-
ciency and the critical issue of managing stress by
using this simple technique of yogic breathing. This
practice can help in enhancing productivity and also
in reducing stress.
5.1. Limitations of the study
Like any research study, the current study also has
some limitations.
This study could usefully be extended and repeated
experimentation performed. This would help in find-
ing out whether participants’ skin conductivity is
usually reduced by undergoing through yogic breath-
ing exercise. This study is an initial effort and the
results are encouraging. The study could also be
extended to use various other stress management
techniques, viz. listening to different kinds of musi-
cal instruments and measuring skin conductivity for
deeper understanding. Also a few different tech-
niques of stimuli like Indian music or Western music
can be applied to observe their effects on skin con-
ductivity values. In addition to skin conductivity, the
other physiological parameters like pulse rate and
blood pressure could also be included for analysis. It
is time to think intensely about managing and control-
ling, stress as it is leading to depression and tackling
it, is an urgent concern.
5.2. Recommendations
Based on the above findings, it is proposed that the
techniques like yogic breathing may be introduced in
universities for improving health of students. Adopt-
ing yogic breathing in their routine life may reduce
the chances of stress and will also help in reduc-
ing stress levels in students suffering from stress.
The authors suggest that the bio-feedback practise of
GSR meter be routinely adopted in for students who
are under stress and that deep breathing exercises be
encouraged.
The argument that it could only be entertained
in a culturally supportive environment is only par-
tially true, but this study will be applicable to many
241
developing countries having similar culture. In fact
the developed world is also moving to adopting yoga
and deep breathing techniques as stress reducing
activities.
This will facilitate healthy and efficient student
life and this practice in educational institutions may
result in saving precious lives of the youth who may
entertain suicide as an option. The healthy engineer-
ing student population can then contribute to their
personal growth, and also contribute positively to
Industrial growth. Further studies on larger samples
will be highly desirable in order to improve the gen-
eralizability of the results.
Acknowledgments
The authors express their sincere gratitude to the
authorities of Thapar University and Punjabi Univer-
sity, Patiala (Punjab) for permitting them to execute
this experimental research work on students of var-
ious branches of engineering. This research was
self-financed.
Conflict of interest
None to report.
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