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AUDITORY SIGNAL DETECTION IN VARIOUS LEVELS OF RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION

David Eichorn
University of British Columbia

This study was designed to measure how various degrees of reduced stimulation (REST) influence the detection of a tone presented in noise. Six groups of subjects experienced three degrees of reduced stimulation in two different environments, a typical REST chamber and a flotation tank. The three degrees of reduced stimulation were silence, music, and recorded text. Light was also present in the conditions with auditory stimulation. The groups comprise a continuum of stimulation including a near-complete lack of stimulation (flotation REST), condition with visual and auditory stimulation encourages cognitive (central) stimulation (chamber with lights on and recorded text that must later be paraphrased). The detection task was presented to subjects once during the first ten minutes and again during the last ten minutes of a one hour and twenty minute period spent in one of the REST conditions. The results highlight the importance of considering the type of stimulation being reduced in all REST experiments and the value of using a well-established cognitive measure to track the effects of REST.

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A COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF REST FLOTATION, PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION, AND LIGHT-SOUND STIMULATION RELAXATION TRAINING

Ernesto A. Randolfi, Ph.D.

Subjects (n=63) were randomly assigned to three methods of relaxation training (restricted environmental stimulation technique (REST) flotation, progressive relaxation, and light-sound stimulation), or a control group to assess the effects of periodic exposure to relaxation. All subjects were scheduled for 45 minutes sessions three times a week for three weeks. Pre and post measurements included serum cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, blood pressure, and self reported measures of anxiety, depression, and physical stress symptoms. No significant differences (p<.05) were found on analysis of covariance for group means of post test scores when pretests were used as the covariate. Significant (p<.05) reductions in pre to post anxiety scores were found for three treatment groups using a paired t-test, but not the control group. Both the REST flotation group and the progressive relaxation group demonstrated significantly lower depression scores, and the flotation group reduced physical symptoms of stress. Subjects with pre-test cholesterol levels above 180 mm/dl were selected for additional analysis, those in the REST flotation group (n=10) significantly lowered total cholesterol (p=.042) and LDL (p=.034) levels by a mean of 18.5 mm/dl and 14.3 mm/dl respectively.

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THE BENEFITS OF FLOTATION REST RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION (THERAPY) IN A PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Roderick A. Borrie, Ph.D.
South Oaks Hospital, Amityville, NY

A pain management program that incorporates regular flotation REST is described with emphasis on the rationale for flotations use. Results from 57 patients receiving 354 flotation REST sessions as part of stress management and pain management programs will be presented in the form of PANAS scores, pain, tension and relaxation ratings from before and after each session. Case reports demonstrating the therapeutic use of flotation with a variety of physical problems will be presented with a discussion of specific benefits resulting from flotation. The problems of using flotation in a health care setting will also be discussed.

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EFFECTS OF RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION THERAPY (REST) ON SEROLOGICAL MARKERS OF INFLAMMATION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

Doré R. Shefransky, A. Betsy McCormick, Thomas H. Fine and John W. Turner, Jr. Medical College of Ohio
Toledo, Ohio

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory multisystem connective tissue disorder. Relaxation therapy is beneficial in a variety of rheumatoid diseases. This study explores the effect of REST on inflammation with previously diagnosed RA measured by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Fourteen volunteers in RA participated in a controlled clinical trial; half underwent flotation REST with a taped message while controls underwent autogenic relaxation with the same message in a reclining chair. ESR and CRP were measured pre, post, and during treatment. The mean ESR decreased in the REST group and slightly increased in the autogenic control group. Neither change was significant (p>.05, t-test). CRP values changed little in either group across study. Individual REST subjects were consistent in exhibiting decreased ESR across the study, suggesting a potentially significant effect of REST, masked in this study by a small group size. The preliminary results encourage further investigation. Funded by Medical College of Ohio. 

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TREATMENT OF PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS THROUGH MENTAL TRAINING AND FLOATATION IN OXYGENATED MAGNESIUM SULFATE SATURATED BATHS

Dr. Schurbruck, M.D., Dr. Bergman, M.D. Juergen Tapprich

Problem: Treatment of psoriasis, a psychosomatic illness that presents in 2% of the general population.Subject: 56 year old female presented in July, 1996 with chronic psoriasis (documented since 1987). Method: Combined use of oxygenated, magnesium sulfate saturated isolation tank bath and psychological training such as meditation techniques, visualization, and self-image reconfiguration. Patient participated in ten weekly sessions during which she was given training in the above, floated for an hour, and underwent 5-10 minutes of ultraviolet light therapy.

Results: After three sessions, patient reported feeling significantly better. After 8 sessions, patient was free of visible manifestation of psoriasis. After 10 sessions, patient reported feelings of general well-being and absence of skin disturbance. She expressed interest in a six month follow-up session.

Discussion: The positive results offer hope for the psychosomatic patient. In the past, patients have had to travel to varied geographic locations (e.g. The Dead Sea) for salt-saturated bathing. The favorable combination of psychological training and physiological treatment has not to our knowledge been documented. We believe the effects of the use of chemical-free, salt-saturated oxygenated baths, auditory stimulation in sensory isolation, kinesthetic feedback (gravity reduced environment) and ultraviolet therapy have a synergistic effect offering relief from and control of this debilitating disease.

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LISTENING TO BINAURAL BEATS TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTS OF RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION THERAPY

F. Holmes Atwater
Research Director, The Monroe Institute

Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) offers both physiological benefits and access to propitious states of consciousness. Listening to binaural beats in a REST-like environment gives rise to an EEG frequency-following response (FFR) which theoretically may enhance these effects or engender similar psychophysiological state changes. A critical point, however, is that a FFR to binaural beats in archetypal brain-wave frequencies has not been comprehensively demonstrated using apropos evoked-potential EEG protocols. A study was designed t determine if a 7 Hz (theta) binaural beat would engender a 7 Hz FFR and if a 16 Hz (beta) binaural beat would engender a 16 Hz FFR. This study used a REST-like environment and multiple-subject trials designed to objectively verify a FFR to theta and beta binaural-beat stimuli with an appropriate evoked-potential protocol. Significant increases in 7 Hz (p=<.001) and 16 Hz (p=.007) EEG amplitudes during binaural-beat stimuli periods provided evidence of a FFR to the binaural-beat stimuli. Binaural beats appear to influence consciousness by providing FFR information to the brainstem's reticular activating system (RAS). The RAS regulates arousal states, attentional focus, and levels of awareness by stimulating the thalamus and cortex. The FFR information includes the character, quality and traits of consciousness represented by the wave pattern of the stimulus binaural beats.