NCT02801084

Effects of Reduced Environmental Stimulation on Eating Disorders

Examining the Effects of Reduced Environmental Stimulation on Eating Disorders

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 21 (actual)
• Sponsor: Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc. · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The study proposed in this protocol aims to document the physiological, subjective, behavioral, and neural effects of reduced environmental stimulation (floating) in patients with current or prior anorexia nervosa The primary aim of this study is to determine the safety of this intervention. Secondary aims including determining whether floating has an impact on symptom reports such as those related to anxiety and eating disorders.

Detailed description

Floating creates an environment with minimal visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, and thermal input to the brain. The float rooms used in this study are both lightproof, and thus completely dark when the entry door is sealed and the lights are turned off, reducing all visual input to the brain. Each float room was constructed with thick soundproof walls, restricting most outside noises from entering the room, thereby reducing auditory input to the brain. A high concentration Epsom salt water solution allows individuals to effortlessly float on their back while remaining completely still, reducing both proprioceptive and tactile input to the brain. The temperature of the water is calibrated to the temperature of the skin (\~94° F) and the temperature of the air is calibrated to the temperature of the water, making it difficult to discern the boundary between air and water, thus reducing thermal input to the brain while minimizing the need for thermoregulation of the skin. While both float pools dramatically reduce external sensory information, it is important to note that participants are in full control over the experience. For example, participants can enter and exit the float pool whenever they choose. Each float pool also contains a blue LED light that can be turned on and off via an air-coupled light switch in the pool. Both float rooms contain a shower for cleaning before and after floating. In a prior study the investigators have found that healthy participants found the pool condition to be relaxing and stress relieving. The current study aims to determine the safety of floating with a clinical population, specifically individuals with a history of eating disorder who are of normal weight.

Conditions

• Anorexia Nervosa

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Reduced environmental stimulation	Participants will complete one arm involving four sequential float sessions. Float 1: chair float. Participants will first float in a comfortable chair in the supine position, for up to 90 minutes. The chair is in a room with sound and light attenuation. Orthostatic blood pressure (BP) will be measured before and after each float. Anxiety and body image will be measured afterwards. Float 2: open pool float. Participants will float for up to 90 minutes in an open pool (8 foot diameter, no enclosure). Orthostatic BP will be measured before and after each float. Anxiety and body image will be measured afterwards. Floats 3 \& 4: domed pool float. Participants will float for up to 90 minutes in a domed pool the same size as the open pool, with an enclosure wall and 8 foot tall ceiling. Orthostatic BP will be measured before and after each float. Anxiety and body image will be measured afterwards. Each float will occur approximately 1 to 7 days apart.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-04-01
• Primary completion: 2017-10-19
• Completion: 2017-10-19
• First posted: 2016-06-15
• Last updated: 2022-04-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States