This open-label trial from Dr. Justin Feinstein's Float Clinic and Research Center at LIBR in 50 patients provides an initial proof-of-principle study showing that 1-hour of float therapy can provide significant short-term relief from symptoms of stress and anxiety across a range of different conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
More than resolving symptoms of mental illness, the experience greatly enhanced mental wellness, leaving patients in a peaceful serene state afterwards. This mood-enhancing effect of floatation was especially notable given that most of the patients had comorbid depression.
It is important to emphasize that this was an open-label study examining the short-term effects of floating. We are now tracking the time course of these effects as well as studying whether or not there is evidence for long-term benefit following repeated practice.