Understanding Physiology During Float-REST and the Consequential Effects on Subjective and Objective Recovery

West Virginia University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Sleep Quality

Treatments: Other: Flotation therapy sensory deprivation tank; Other: Sleep Pod

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04415970

1910751767

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this research study is to assess how the implementation of various modern strategies for augmented recovery and physiological monitoring via wearable biotechnologies and subjective measurements affect sleep quality, and other indices of recovery from physical activity.

Full description

Flotation therapy uses sensory deprivation tanks that consist of a very large warm water enclosure with a high concentration of Epsom salts to create a completely buoyant environment. This, along with a combination of temperature that is kept equal to skin temperature (94 degrees), allows the subject to eliminate the gravitational effects on the body, and along with lack of sound and low to no light (depending on comfort) allows the brain and body to completely relax for augmented physical and mental recovery. To control for potential changes in sleep quality, quantity, and/or stress and anxiety, a control condition utilizing a Metronap nap station to ascertain the effects of standard, horizontal napping with partial sensory deprivation (no light and silence) compared with floating.

To assess whether or not flotation therapy positively influences sleep and perceptual recovery, participants will float for 60 minutes 2 times a week for 8 weeks, use the sleep pod for 60 minutes 2 times a week for 8 weeks, or take part in a cross-over study where the participant will alternate float and sleep pod every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. All participants may wear a fitness tracker and a sleep monitoring ring worn on the finger for the duration of the study. In addition, daily, per session, monthly, and pre/post-study questionnaires will be submitted via a smartphone application.

Enrollment: 31 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female 18 years of age or older

Exclusion criteria

• Do not have any contagious skin infections or diseases
• Do not have a history of seizures
• Do not have a history of being prone to motion sickness
• An episode of loss of consciousness (last 6-months)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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31 participants in 2 patient groups

Flotation Therapy

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will utilize flotation sensory deprivation tanks.

Treatment:

Other: Flotation therapy sensory deprivation tank

Sleep Pod

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will utilize sleep pods with partial sensory deprivation (no light and silence).

Treatment:

Other: Sleep Pod