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Cited by 79Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsMindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST

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Feinstein, Justin S., Khalsa, Sahib S., Yeh, Hung-wen, Wohlrab, Colleen, Simmons, W. Kyle, Stein, Murray B., Paulus, Martin P.·2018·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0190292PMC PMC5796691
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Abstract

Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) reduces sensory input to the nervous system through the act of floating supine in a pool of water saturated with Epsom salt. The float experience is calibrated so that sensory signals from visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, thermal, tactile, vestibular, gravitational and proprioceptive channels are minimized, as is most movement and speech. This open-label study aimed to examine whether Floatation-REST would attenuate symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression in a clinical sample. Fifty participants were recruited across a spectrum of anxiety and stress-related disorders (posttraumatic stress, generalized anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, and social anxiety), most (n = 46) with comorbid unipolar depression. Measures of self-reported affect were collected immediately before and after a 1-hour float session, with the primary outcome measure being the pre- to post-float change score on the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory. Irrespective of diagnosis, Floatation-REST substantially reduced state anxiety (estimated Cohen's d > 2). Moreover, participants reported significant reductions in stress, muscle tension, pain, depression and negative affect, accompanied by a significant improvement in mood characterized by increases in serenity, relaxation, happiness and overall well-being (p < .0001 for all variables). In reference to a group of 30 non-anxious participants, the effects were found to be more robust in the anxious sample and approaching non-anxious levels during the post-float period. Further analysis revealed that the most severely anxious participants reported the largest effects. Overall, the procedure was well-tolerated, with no major safety concerns stemming from this single session. The findings from this initial study need to be replicated in larger controlled trials, but suggest that Floatation-REST may be a promising technique for transiently reducing the suffering in those with anxiety and depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03051074.

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  • Preliminary data suggest that a single 1-hour Floatation-REST session has a short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect in patients with comorbid anxiety and depression.

    “Preliminary data suggest that a single 1-hour session has a short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect in patients with comorbid anxiety and depression (129), but further research is needed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and potential for long-term efficacy in psychiatric populations.”

    From Interoception and Mental Health: A Roadmap. (2018) · cites this paper as [129]

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3 of the 87 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [45]Taylor S. Anxiety sensitivity: Theory, research, and treatment of the fear of anxiety: Routledge; 2014.
  2. [71]Crandall R. The use of ultraviolet light in the treatment of water in public spas and hot tubs. Journal of Environment and Health. 1986; 49(1): 16– 23.
  3. [85]Moeller S. The World Unplugged: 24 Hours without Media. Comunicar (English edition). 2012; 20(39): 45– 52.

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Authors
Feinstein, J. S., Khalsa, S. S., Yeh, H.-W., Wohlrab, C., Simmons, W. K., Stein, M. B., & Paulus, M. P.
Affiliations
  • Laureate Institute for Brain Research (US)
  • University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Feinstein, Justin S.
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2018-02-02
Volume
13
Issue
2
Pages
e0190292
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0190292
PMC
PMC5796691
OpenAlex
W2791179379
Cited by
79
References
87
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1
FWCI
9.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
William K. Warren Foundation
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Keywords
sensory deprivation, state anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety, major depressive disorder, mood, well-being, muscle tension, pain, relaxation
MeSH terms
Adult, Anxiety, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Sensory Deprivation

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