Floatation-REST and Anorexia Nervosa
- Conditions
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Floatation-REST plus usual careBehavioral: Usual care
- Registration Number
- NCT03610451
- Lead Sponsor
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.
- Brief Summary
The study proposed in this protocol aims to document the effect of Floatation-REST (reduced environmental stimulation therapy) on symptoms of anorexia nervosa.
- Detailed Description
Flotation-REST (reduced environmental stimulation therapy) alters the balance of sensory input by systematically attenuating signals from the visual, auditory, thermal, tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems. Previous research has shown that this heightens interoceptive awareness and reduces anxiety in clinically anxious populations. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by elevated anxiety, distorted body image, and disrupted interoception, raising the question of whether floatation therapy might positively impact these symptoms. A recent safety study found that Floatation-REST was well tolerated by individuals weight-restored outpatients with current or prior AN. Additionally, participants reported improvements in affective state and body image disturbance following floating, raising the possibility that this intervention might be investigated for clinical benefit in more acutely ill cases.
The primary aim of this study is to begin to examine the effect of Floatation-REST on body image disturbance in inpatients with AN. Secondary aims including determining whether Floatation-REST has an impact on anxiety, emotional distress, eating disorder severity, functional ability, and interoception.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
- Sex
- Female
- Target Recruitment
- 68
- Primary clinical diagnosis of anorexia nervosa
- Receiving inpatient treatment for eating disorder
- Body mass index greater than or equal to 16
- No new medication prescription in the week prior to study randomization
- Independently ambulatory
- No current evidence of orthostatic hypotension
- Ability to lay flat comfortably
- Possession of a smartphone with data plan
- English proficiency
- Active suicidal ideation
- Active cutting or skin lacerating behaviors
- Orthostatic hypotension (defined as a drop of ≥ 20 mm Hg in systolic BP or a drop of ≥ 10 mm Hg in diastolic BP when measured shortly after transitioning from lying down to standing)
- Comorbid schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Floatation-REST Floatation-REST plus usual care Participants will float supine in a pool of water saturated with epsom salt, in a light and sound attenuated chamber, for up to 60 minutes, on 8 separate occasions. Ratings of the experience will be collected before and after each float. Usual care Usual care Participants will be assessed along the same time periods, i.e., before and after a 60 minute window, on 8 separate occasions. Ratings of the experience will be collected before and after each time period.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Body image dissatisfaction score on the Photographic Figure Rating Scale Through study completion, an average of 1 year Average of the absolute change in body image dissatisfaction from pre to post float across all eight floats (score range: 0 to 10; larger changes indicate greater severity of body image dissatisfaction)
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Functional ability on the Sheehan Disability Questionnaire Through study completion, an average of 1 year Change in functional ability after the final float relative to baseline (range 0 to 30, higher scores indicate greater severity of disability)
Anxiety on the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory Through study completion, an average of 1 year Average of the change in anxiety rating from pre to post float across all eight float (range 20 to 80, higher scores indicate greater severity of anxiety)
Interoceptive self report on the Multidimensional Interoceptive Awareness Scale Through study completion, an average of 1 year Change in total interoceptive awareness score after the final float relative to baseline (range 0 to 160, higher scores indicating greater interoceptive awareness)
Body image disturbance on the Body Appreciation Scale-2 Through study completion, an average of 1 year Change in body image disturbance score after the final float relative to baseline (range 10 to 50, higher scores indicating reduced severity of body image disturbance)
Eating disorder severity on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Through study completion, an average of 1 year Change in eating disorder severity after the final float relative to baseline (range 0 to 6, larger scores indicate greater severity of eating disorder)
Body image disturbance on the Body Image States Scale Through study completion, an average of 1 year Change in body image disturbance after the final float relative to baseline (range 0 to 48, higher scores indicate greater severity of body image disturbance)
Anxiety on the NIH Promis Anxiety Scale Through study completion, an average of 1 year Average of the change in anxiety rating from pre to post float across all eight float (range 6 to 30, higher scores indicate greater severity of anxiety)
Anxiety sensitivity on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3R Through study completion, an average of 1 year Change in anxiety sensitivity after the final float relative to baseline (range 0 to 96, higher scores indicate greater severity of anxiety sensitivity)
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Laureate Institute for Brain Research
🇺🇸Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States