Float Tank/Sensory Deprivation/Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (REST)

Originally isolation tanks were created to study the brain. They were nothing like we have access to today. The tanks were upright, and the subject breathed through a ventilator while submerged in a water-filled tank. There were no hypotheses regarding relieving depression, anxiety, or sleep issues back then. They just wanted to see what happened when a human body and mind were denied sensory stimulation from outside the body.

Now there is current research looking into the health benefits of consistent use of floatation tanks for their sensory deprivation properties. It looks like there is quite a lot of research since the 1970s looking at the benefits of float tanks. More currently, there are studies targeting specific conditions or disorders and how floating consistently can decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and even pain.

I had only heard of them as float tanks. I had not encountered the scientific term Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique (REST). I also had no idea there was so much research on the benefits of using float tanks. And I certainly never expected to find trials for using this technique to treat specific conditions. Intuitively, it makes perfect sense. I often discuss how overstimulating our world is today. We cannot get away from phones and the internet and television bombarding us. I find it most amusing when people tell me adamantly “I do not own or watch television,” while holding a cell phone in their hand. Our world and its noise are only escapable if we are deliberate and implement some treatment or behavior that offsets the barrage that inundates our brains and senses. The research I am finding says, float tanks work for a lot of disorders.

Jonsson and Kjellgren published their article in 2016. They looked at treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) using float tank therapy. The subjects did 12 sessions within 7 weeks, 2 times a week. Subjects were tested at baseline, during their 7 weeks of treatment, after the 12th treatment had ended, and 6 months after the intervention. While the sample size was small, 25, the results were impressive. They showed a 37% remission rate of GAD symptoms (Jonsson and Kjellgren, 2016).

I used to think I only had depression. Now, at 52 years old, however, I think I have social anxiety and anxiety overall. Perhaps to some extent, particularly since COVID, we all do now. I joked during quarantine that we would all resurface with OCD and agoraphobia. I think anxiety is the real result. In 2005, Van Dierendonck and Te Nijenhuis did a meta-analysis of the data found on float-REST therapy at that time. They concluded that while there are a lot of studies, many do not present solid evidence. They also questioned the selection of subjects for studies. They reported that most subjects were mostly healthy. Some had a self-diagnosed general anxiety disorder, but no studies worked with medically diagnosed and medicated anxiety and depression disorders. So, like most studies I have ever read, more research is needed to draw any valid conclusions (Van Dierendonck & Te Nijenhuis, 2005). Let me note that their statements were published in 2005 and in terms of evidence collection, that is a long time ago.

I wanted to try float tank sessions to see what I felt. I did not have the time or resources for 12 sessions but after two I may have to find the time and finances.

I went to Isolate in Boulder, CO. The establishment was clean and simple. The rooms were very clean and had individual showers for before and after floating. Towels, shampoo, and other amenities were provided. It felt safe and very clean. Several people I have spoken to about the experience showed concern for claustrophobia being in an enclosed tank. But tanks today are big and not claustrophobic at all. I had control of lights and music while in the tank. The saltwater is body temperature and so the body does not cool off. There are also heat blowers in the tank that keep the air inside warm as well. The staff member gave me a thorough tour and instructions on the best way in and out of the tank. They showed me what to do with my hair while floating. I was given implements to use inside the tank to rest my head on while floating and to wipe off my hands before touching my eyes while in the tank. I was impressed.

The floating itself was not hard or scary. I am usually ready to try anything. And I am always ready to leave my earthly body for a meditative or spiritual practice. I went for a 90-minute session. An hour barely gives my brain time to get quiet enough to get to the next state. The time went fast. The saltwater was belly-button deep when I was sitting up. I could not reach both sides of the tank with my arms outstretched. And the height of the inside was at least 5 feet. There was nothing claustrophobic about the tank. In addition, there are props to crack the door open if one does not want total enclosure or needs fresh air access. Again, I could control if I wanted music or lights on in the tank. I went with no lights and no music. They do gradually turn on gentle music near the end of the session to bring you out if you have “floated away.”

My body, mind, and spirit loved this. I will be going again as soon as I can. I cannot imagine 12 weeks straight of a 90-minute float. I think it would change my whole demeanor. I highly recommend trying this and I have already suggested to two patients with anxiety to try it as well.

One last study I found interesting was looking at athletic recovery and performance using float tanks post-training. Broderick, Uiga, and Driller in their study took 19 young male athletes, had them do their normal physical training, and followed it with a float tank recovery session. Their comparison or control group was the same 19 athletes completed the same training workout but with no intervention post-workout. The athletes that used the float tank in their recovery decreased their recovery time, improved their subsequent performances, and showed a higher pain tolerance or lowered pain experience after recovering. Again, the sample size here was small and so no definitive generalizations can be made. But it would be interesting as a weekday warrior, to try it on me, (Broderick, Uiga & Driller, 2019).

Overall, I think we all should try it. I think it could be a powerful and affordable tool for a lot of my clients. I wish a lot of my clients would get massage along with acupuncture. However, in my experience, a bad massage is not worth having and often a good one is gone as soon as one gets behind the wheel to drive home. Using Float Therapy, addressing the nervous system and getting it out of sensory overload seems like it would have deep, lasting benefits if done consistently. Moving forward, I will be looking at further research into its effects on sleep difficulties and diagnosed anxiety and depression.

References

Broderick, V., Uiga, L. & Driller, M. (2019). Flotation-restricted environmental stimulation therapy improves sleep and performance recovery in athletes. Performance Enhancement & Health, 7(1-2), p.100-149.

Jonsson, K., & Kjellgren, A. (2016). Promising effects of treatment with flotation-REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) as an intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): a randomized controlled pilot trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16, 108. https://doi-org.pacificcollege.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1089-x

Van Dierendonck, D. & Te Nijenhuis, J. (2005). Flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) as a stress-management tool: A meta-analysis. Psychology & Health, 20(3), pp.405-412.