Examining the Differential Effects of Traditional Float-REST and Dry Float on Subjective and Objective Health Outcomes

The objective of this research study is to assess how the implementation of various modern strategies for augmented recovery affect sleep quality, subjective wellness and other indices of general well-being.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sleep Quality
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Traditional Float-REST Therapy; Other: Simulated Flotation Therapy

Detailed Description

Traditional flotation therapy (Float-REST; Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) uses sensory deprivation tanks that consist of a very large warm water enclosure with a high concentration of Epsom salt to create a completely buoyant environment. This, along with a combination of temperature that is kept equal to skin temperature (94 degrees), allows the participant 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. Provided the growing understanding that sleep quality and quantity are at the forefront of ensuring optimal human performance states, compounded by the deleterious effects of high stress and anxiety on sleep, utilizing flotation therapy as a mechanism for enhancing sleep requires further investigation. In addition to the traditional Float- REST, there have been developments in newer technologies that enhance the convenience of receiving these proposed benefits; Zerobody Dry Float technology (www.Zerobody.com) rids the need for multiple showers by its user, frequent water treatments, and extensive maintenance experienced with traditional flotation environments. However, research is still needed to assess how this recovery modality compares to traditional Float-REST.

To assess whether traditional (Float-REST) or simulated (Dry Float) flotation therapy positively influences sleep and perceptual recovery, participants will undergo a crossover study. Over the course of 9 weeks, participants will alternate Float-REST and Dry Float in 3 week segments with a 1 week break in-between to gather baseline data (known as the testing battery). In addition, testing battery data will be collected at weeks 1 and 9. The order in which participants begin their crossover study, either Float-REST or Dry Float, will be randomly assigned. 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, and pre/post-study questionnaires will be submitted via a smartphone application.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • West Virginia
    • Morgantown, West Virginia, United States, 26505
      • Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at West Virginia University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years to 56 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female 18-60 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Weighs more than 250 pounds
• Taller than 76 inches
• Has undergone a float-REST session of any kind in the last 3 months
• Has a fresh piercings that is less than 6 weeks old from scheduled session
• Has a fresh tattoo that is less than 4 weeks old from scheduled float
• Has an injury requiring an orthopedic cast (i.e. plaster or synthetic), immovable splint or brace
• Is claustrophobic (fear of confined spaces)
• Has a skin or respiratory sensitivity or allergy to chlorine, sulfate, magnesium, rubber latex or synthetic latex
• Has a history of or is prone to motion sickness
• Has had an episode of loss of consciousness in the last 6-months
• Has had a concussion or traumatic brain injury in the last 6-months
• Has a contagious skin conditions
• Has skin ulcers, open rashes, incisions, stitches or large open wounds that could cause pain when exposed to saltwater
• Has a diagnosis of kidney disease, heart disease or other chronic illness
• Has a irremovable medical port or catheter
• Has had a seizure in the last 10 years
• Has communicable diseases (e.g. HIV, Hepatitis A, B & C, tuberculosis, or measles)
• Lack of control of bodily functions prior to scheduled float
• Has a diagnosis of any psychiatric condition (e.g. schizophrenia or bipolar disorder)
• Pregnant or actively trying to become pregnant

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Traditional Float-REST Therapy; Participants will utilize sensory deprivation tanks.	Other: Traditional Float-REST Therapy; Traditional Float-REST therapy uses sensory deprivation tanks that consist of a very large warm water enclosure with a high concentration of Epsom salt to create a completely buoyant environment. This, along with a combination of temperature that is kept equal to skin temperature (94 degrees), allows the participant 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. The room will contain an intercom that allows participants to communicate with study personnel in the event they need assistance. Participants will undergo 60 minute sessions twice a week for 3 weeks as one of the two interventions.; Other Names: Sensory Deprivation Tanks
Experimental: Simulated Flotation Therapy; Participants will utilize the Zerobody dry flotation therapy.	Other: Simulated Flotation Therapy; The Zerobody is a new technology designed to simulate the effects of traditional Float-REST therapy, but without the contact with salt water. The system has a very thin membrane that cradles the body and provides a warm sensation, similar to that experienced in a traditional flotation tank. The system will be housed in a room that allows for significant reductions in light and sound to mimic the experience of a flotation tank. The room will contain an intercom that allows participants to communicate with study personnel in the event they need assistance. Participants will undergo 60 minute sessions twice a week for 3 weeks using the Zerobody, also termed "dry floating," as one of the two interventions.; Other Names: Zerobody Dry Float

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in per session self-report measures	State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) - Commonly used measure of state and trait anxiety, and done with 20 very brief questions. Values range from 20 to 80, with higher scores representing more severe anxiety. Participants will complete the STAI questionnaire before and after each session, twice a week. The sessions will take place during weeks 2-4 and weeks 6-8.	2 times a week, in 3 week increments, through study completion at 9 weeks
Change in testing battery self-report measures in sleep quality	Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)- 19 item inventory with 7 subjective components that assess sleep quality over time. Each component is scored from 0 to 3 (0=very good and 3=very bad). The sum of the components is the global score and ranges 0-21 (0=no difficulty and 21=severe difficulties). The higher the global score, the poorer the sleep quality.	Week 1, week 5, and week 9
Change in heart rate variability as measured by OURA ring	Oura Ring is a connected health device worn on the finger that measures sleep. Heart rate variability will be quantified throughout the night via the OURA ring.	Daily from baseline through study completion at 9 weeks
Change in heart rate as measured by OURA ring	Oura Ring is a connected health device worn on the finger that measures sleep. Heart rate will be quantified throughout the night via the OURA ring.	Daily from baseline through study completion at 9 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: West Virginia University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 17, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): October 31, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 9, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): November 16, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): August 28, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 21, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Sleep; Wearable Technology; Sensory Deprivation Tank; Dry Float
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2006024602

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No