The Feasibility and Examination of the Effects of Floatation-based REST on a Community Sample With PTSD

The Feasibility and Examination of the Effects of Floatation-based Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) on a Community Sample With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This project is being done to explore the effects floating has on individuals who have a history of trauma with stress related symptoms.

This pilot study looks to further the current floatation-based REST literature by exploring the therapy's effectiveness within a community-based sample of adults with PTSD. This type of sample allows the study the opportunity to recruit both veteran and civilian subjects, two populations that can suffer from this clinical diagnosis and stand to benefit from this therapy. This study will:

1. Evaluate the psychological effects of floating for a clinical, community sample with PTSD.
2. Evaluate the physiological effects of floating for a clinical, community sample with PTSD.
3. Evaluate the subjective effects of floating for a clinical, community sample with PTSD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as confirmed by the PCL-5
• 18-60 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, severe traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia)
• Any skin conditions or open wounds that could cause pain when exposed to saltwater
• Has floated previously
• Has Schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders
• Refuses to adhere to the Pre-Float Checklist
• Non-English speaking
• Inability to lay comfortably in a shallow pool of water
• Refuses participation in the floatation-REST sessions
• Refuses to sign the Float Liability Waiver prior to floating
• No Communicable disease (e.g.- HIV, Hepatitis A, B& C, tuberculosis, or measles)
• No psychoactive drugs or laxatives within the past week from scheduled float. Psychoactive drugs include, but are not limited to: methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, peyote, phencyclidine, ketamine).No recreational drug use (e.g.tetrahydrocannabinol,abuse of prescription medicine) day before or day of study visit. No antihistamine that causes drowsiness and no alcohol the day of the float sessions.
• Lack of control of bodily functions prior to scheduled float
• Fresh tattoos that would inhibit ability to float (consult with tattoo artist)
• Colored/dyed hair less than one week old from scheduled float
• Body tanning/spay/paint less than one week old from scheduled float
• Active suicidal ideation