PUBLICATIONS

PUBLICATIONS

Published peer reviewed papers related to Clinical Floatation to assist researchers and clinicians in all disciplines

Floatation-REST


The history of Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) dates back to the 1950’s when Drs. Jay Shurley and John Lilly at the National Institute of Mental Health became interested in understanding how the human brain would respond to an environment devoid of external sensory input. The float environment systematically minimizes external sensory input to the nervous system including signals from visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, thermal, tactile, vestibular, gravitational and proprioceptive channels.  Since its discovery, there have been a number of publications exploring the potential therapeutic benefits of floating. The most consistent observation to date has been significant reductions in levels of subjective stress and increases in relaxation as measured from pre- to post-float. Concomitant with these subjective findings, floating has also been reported to decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels. A meta-analysis published in 2005 found a large overall effect size for stress reduction, with most past float studies focused on healthy populations.


Clinical research investigating Floatation-REST, although limited, has reported largely beneficial effects across a range of different stress- and pain-related conditions, including: hypertension, chronic tension headaches, chronic muscle tension pain in the back and neck, and stress-related pain with burnout depression. There have also been several studies focused on individuals with clinical anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anorexia nervosa, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social anxiety disorder, with many of these patients also presenting with comorbid major depressive disorder. The evidence published thus far suggests that Floatation-REST is a safe technique for rapidly reducing levels of stress, pain, and anxiety. Clinical trials are currently underway in America, Germany, and Sweden investigating the long-term impact of floating in patients with anxiety disorders, anorexia nervosa, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and insomnia. As the evidence base continues to grow, we will continue to update this repository of peer-reviewed publications studying the clinical effects of Floatation-REST.


Title
Authors 
Journal - Year

The impact of floatation therapy on body image and anxiety in anorexia nervosa: a randomised clinical efficacy trial

Emily M. Choquette, Michael C. Flux, Scott E. Moseman, Sheridan Chappelle, Jessyca Naegele, Valerie Upshaw, Alexa Morton, Martin P. Paulus, Justin S. Feinstein, Sahib S. Khalsa

eClinical Medicine

Part of THE LANCET

Discovery Science

2023



Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) in anxiety and depression: An experience sampling study

McKenna M. Garland, Raminta Wilson, Emily Adamic, Wesley K. Thompson, Armen C. Arevian, Murray B. Stein, Martin P. Paulus, Justin S. Feinstein, Sahib S. Khalsa

Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders

2023


Exploring the acute cardiovascular effects of Floatation-REST

M. C. Flux, Thomas H. Fine, Tate Poplin, Obada Al Zoubi, William A. Schoenhals, Jesse Schettler, Hazem H. Refai, Jessyca Naegele, Colleen Wohlrab, Hung-Wen Yeh, Christopher A. Lowry, Jason C. Levine, Ryan Smith, Sahib S. Khalsa and Justin S. Feinstein.

Frontiers in Neuroscience

2022


Acute Floatation-REST Improves Perceived Recovery Following a High-Intensity Resistance Exercise Stress in Trained Men

Caldwell, Lydia K., Kraemer, William J, Post, Emily M., Volek, Jeff S., Focht, Brian C., Newton, Robert U.,  Häkkinen, Keijo, Maresh, Carl M.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise:

2022


Taking the body off the mind: Decreased functional connectivity between somatomotor and default‐mode networks following Floatation‐REST

Obada Al Zoubi, Masaya Misaki, Jerzy Bodurka, Rayus Kuplicki, Colleen Wohlrab, William A. Schoenhals, Hazem H. Refai, Sahib S. Khalsa, Murray B. Stein, Martin P. Paulus, Justin S. Feinstein

Human Brain Mapping

2021


Floatation Therapy for Specific Health Concerns


A review of the research on this increasingly popular intervention

Laura Witte, PhD, PA-C, Carlos Santo, ND, Mark E. Archambault, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, Thomas Colletti, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, and Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA

Natural Medicine Journal

2021


Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy for Chronic Pain

Leonie F. Loose; Jorge Manuel, MSc; Matthias Karst, MD, PhD; Laura K. Schmidt; Florian Beissner, PhD

JAMA Network Open

2021


Reduced environmental stimulation in anorexia nervosa: an early phase clinical trial
Sahib S. Khalsa, Scott E. Moseman, Hung-wen Yeh, Valerie Upshaw, Beth Persac, Eric Breese, Rachel C. Lapidus, Sheridan Chappelle, Martin P. Paulus and Justin S. Feinstein
Frontiers in Psychology
2020

Does flotation-rest (restricted environmental stimulation technique) have an effect on sleep?

Anette Kjellgrena, Annika Norell-Clarkeb, Kristoffer Jonssona, Maria Tillforsa

European Journal of Integrative Medicine

2020


Flotation-restricted environmental stimulation therapy improves sleep and performance recovery in athletes
Vipan Broderick, Liis Uiga, Matthew Driller

Performance Enhancement & Health
2019

The Elicitation of Relaxation and Interoceptive Awareness Using Floatation Therapy in Individuals With High Anxiety Sensitivity
Justin S. Feinstein, Sahib S. Khalsa, Hung Yeh, Obada Al Zoubi, Armen C. Arevian, Colleen Wohlrab, Marie K. Pantino, Laci J. Cartmell, W. Kyle Simmons, Murray B. Stein, and Martin P. Paulus
Biological Psychiatry CNNI
2018

Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST
Justin S. Feinstein, Sahib S. Khalsa, Hung-wen Yeh, Colleen Wohlrab, W. Kyle Simmons, Murray B. Stein, Martin P. Paulus
PLOS  ONE 
2018

Flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy and napping on mood state and muscle soreness in elite athletes: A novel recovery strategy?
Matthew W.Drillera and Christos K.Argus
Performance Enhancement & Health. 
2016

Promising effects of treatment with flotation-REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) as an intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): a randomized controlled pilot trial
Kristoffer Jonsson and Anette Kjellgren
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
2016

Beneficial effects of treatment with sensory isolation in flotation-tank as a preventive health-care intervention – a randomized controlled pilot trial
Anette Kjellgren and Jessica Westman
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 
2014

The acute effect of floatation restricted enviromental stimulation technique on recovery from maximal eccentric exercise
Paul M. Morgan, Amanda J. Salacinski, and Matthew A. Stults-Kolehainen

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

2013


Investigation of Acupuncture Sensation Patterns under Sensory Deprivation Using a Geographic Information System
Florian Beissner and Irene Marzolff
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
2012

Preventing Sick-leave for Sufferers of High Stress-load and Burnout Syndrome: A Pilot Study Combining Psychotherapy and the Flotation tank
Anette Kjellgren , Hanne Buhrkall , Torsten Norlander
International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy
2011

Searching for Placebo Effects: Do Sensitive Personality and Breathing Instructions Influence the Experience of Flotation- REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique)?
Kjellgren, A., Lindahl, A., & Norlander, T.
Individual Differences Research
2009

Treating stress-related pain with the flotation restricted environmental stimulation technique: Are there differences between women and men?
Sven Å Bood PhD, Anette Kjellgren PhD, Torsten Norlander PhD Prof
Pain Research & Management 2009

Effects of flotation Rest (Restricted Environmental stimulation technique) on stress Related muscle Pain: are 33 flotation sessions more Effective than 12 sessions?
Sven Å. Bood, Ulf Sundequist, Anette Kjellgren, Gun NordStröm, and Torsten Norlander
Social Behavior and Personality
2007

Eliciting the Relaxation Response With the Help of Flotation–REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) in Patients With Stress- Related Ailments
Sven Å. Bood, Ulf Sundequist, Anette Kjellgren, and Torsten Norlander
International Journal of Stress Management
2006

Flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) as a stress-management tool: A meta-analysis
Dirk Van Dierendonck  & Jan Te Nijenhuis
Psychology and Health
2005

Effects of flotation REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) on stress-related muscle pain: What makes the difference in therapy – attention-placebo or the relaxation response?
Sven A Bood MSc RN, Ulf Sundequist MA , Anette Kjellgren PhD, Gun Nordstrom PhD , Torsten Norlander PhD
Pain Research & Management 2005

Effects of flotation-REST on muscle tension pain
Anette Kjellgren MSc, Ulf Sundequist MA, Torsten Norlander PhD, Trevor Archer PhD
Pain Research & Management 2000

Health and therapeutic applications of chamber and flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST)
Peter Suedfeld & Roderick Borrie
Psychology and Health
1999

Progressive muscle relaxation and restricted environmental stimulation therapy for chronic tension headache: a pilot study
Wallbaum, A. B., Rzewnicki, R., Steele, H., & Suedfeld, P.
International Journal of Psychosomatics
1991

Restricting environmental stimulation influences levels and variability of plasma cortisol
J. W. Turner Jr, and T. H. Fine
Journal of Applied Psychology 
1991

A direct comparison of the 'wet' and 'dry' flotation environments 
Donald G. Forgays, Deborah  K. Forgays, Miki Pudvah and Drex Wright
Journal of Environmental Psychology 
1991

The Presence or Absence of Light During Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Effects
on Plasma Cortisol, Blood Pressure, and Mood
John W. TurnerJr.Thomas FineGina EwyPeter SershonThomas Freundlich
Biofeedback and Self-Regulation
1989

Restricted environmental stimulation and therapy of smoking: A parametric study
Peter Suedfeld, GloriaBaker-Brown
Addictive Behaviours 
1987

Effects of biobehaviorally-assisted relaxation training on blood pressure, plasma renin, cortisol, and aldosterone levels in borderline essential hypertension
McGrady, A., Turner, J. W., Fine, T. H., & Higgins, J. T. 
Clinical biofeedback and health 
1987

Is floatation isolation a relaxing environment?
Donald G. Forgays and Maureen J. Belinson
Journal of Environmental Psychology 
1986

The Effects of Short Term Flotation REST on Relaxation: A Controlled Study
Gregg D. Jacobs, Robert L. Heilbronner, and John M. Stanley
Health Psychology 
1984

Effects of Relaxation Associated with Brief Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) on Plasma Cortisol, ACTH, and LH
John W. Turner, Jr., and Thomas H. Fine
Biofeedback and Self-Regulation
1983

Water immersion and floatation : From stress experiment to stress treatment 
Peter Suedfeld, Elizabeth J. Ballard and Margaux Murphy
Journal of Environmental Psychology
1983

The effect of brief restricted environmental stimulation therapy in the treatment of essential hypertension 
Thomas H. Fine & John W. Turner Jr
Behaviour Research and Therapy
1982

Electrophysiological changes in humans during sensory isolation
E.A Serafetinides,  Jay T. Shurley, R. Brooks & W.P. Gideon

Aerospace Medicine

1971


Stress and adaptation as related to sensory/perceptual isolation research
Jay T. Shurley, M.D.

Military Medicine 

1966


Profound experimental sensory isolation
Jay T. Shurley, M.D.
American Journal of Psychiatry
1960

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