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

West Virginia University31 enrolled

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Sleep Quality

Interventions

Flotation therapy sensory deprivation tankOTHER

Participants will float for 60 minutes, 2 times a week for 8 consecutive weeks or alternate with sleep pod every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. All participants will wear a fitness tracker and a sleep monitoring ring worn on the finger for the duration of the study. Each session will be preceded by a short safety questionnaire and an anxiety index. Following each session, the participant will complete the index again. Participants will also complete morning and evening questionnaires and monthly questionnaires on a smartphone.

Sleep PodOTHER

Participants will utilize the sleep pod for 60 minutes, 2 times a week for 8 consecutive weeks or alternate with float every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. All participants will wear a fitness tracker and a sleep monitoring ring worn on the finger for the duration of the study. Each session will be preceded by a short anxiety index. Following each session, the participant will complete the index again. Participants will also complete morning and evening questionnaires and monthly questionnaires on a smartphone.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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)

Locations (1)

Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in sleep patterns

The OURA Rings is a commercially available wearable device that continuously monitors sleep and sleep quality.

Time frame: Daily from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks

Change in self-report measures

Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS)-An 8 item inventory that assess subjective measures of physical, mental, and emotional recovery on a 7 point Likert Scale (0=does not apply at all to 6=fully applies). High values in overall recovery indicate feeling physically and mentally recovered. High values in overall stress indicate feeling overloaded and physically tired. End of Day Questionnaire (EoD)-Developed at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) as a modification of the NASA Task Load Index. This questionnaire addresses subjective measures of workload and stressors that were encountered throughout the day. Post-Training Rating of Perceived Exertion Questionnaire-An adaption of the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, commonly referred to as RPE. The questionnaire requires participants to list the specific activity and the subjective measure of exercise intensity. The scale ranges from 6-20 (6=no exertion that is equivalent to rest and 20=maximal exertion).

Time frame: Daily from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks

Change from baseline in self-report measures

Big Five Inventory (BFI)-44 item inventory designed to measure the Big Five Factors of personality on a 5-point Likert Scale. Higher scores indicate a higher tendency for that personality trait (1=disagree strongly to 5=agree strongly). Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ)-10-item scale designed to measure tendency to regulate emotions. Each item is answered on a 7-point Likert Scale (1=strongly disagree to 7=strongly agree). Higher scores indicate a higher emotion regulation strategy. Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)-39 item inventory assesses the five facets of mindfulness on a 5-point Likert Scale (1=never or very rarely true and 5=very often or always true). Each facet is tallied and the sum total responses are divided by 39 (number of items). Higher scores indicate higher levels of mindfulness. State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI)-20 item inventory assesses state and trait anxiety. Values range from 20 to 80, with higher scores representing more severe anxiety.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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