NCT04415970

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

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 31 (actual)
• Sponsor: West Virginia University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Conditions

• Sleep Quality

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Flotation therapy sensory deprivation tank	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.
OTHER	Sleep Pod	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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-01-10
• Primary completion: 2021-05-01
• Completion: 2023-02-15
• First posted: 2020-06-04
• Last updated: 2024-03-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States