Eliciting the relaxation response with the help of flotation-REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) in patients with stress-related ailments / Sven A. Bood, Ulf Sundequist, Anette Kjellgren, Torsten Norlander, Lenneart Nordstrom, Knut Nordenstrom, Gun Nordstrom

This study aimed to investigate long-term effects of the flotation-REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) 4 months after treatment. Seventy patients, 54 women and 16 men, participated, diagnosed as having stress-related pain. Twenty-six participants had also the diagnosis of burnout depression. Participants were randomly assigned in equal numbers to either a control group or a flotation-REST group and participated in a total of 12 flotation-REST or control sessions. Results indicated that pain areas, stress, anxiety, and depression decreased, whereas sleep quality, optimism, and prolactin increased. Positive effects generally maintained 4 months after treatment, but prolactin returned to initial levels. It was concluded that flotation tank therapy is an effective method for the treatment of stress-related pain.

Psychology.