Understanding Physiology During Float-REST and the Consequential Effects on Subjective and Objective Recovery

Primary outcomes

1. Change in sleep patterns

   Time frame: Daily from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks

   The OURA Rings is a commercially available wearable device that continuously monitors sleep and sleep quality.

2. Change in self-report measures

   Time frame: Daily from baseline through study completion at 8 weeks

   Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS)-An 8 item inventory that assess subjective measures of physical, mental, and emotional recovery on a 7 point Likert Scale (0=does not apply at all to 6=fully applies). High values in overall recovery indicate feeling physically and mentally recovered. High values in overall stress indicate feeling overloaded and physically tired.

   End of Day Questionnaire (EoD)-Developed at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) as a modification of the NASA Task Load Index. This questionnaire addresses subjective measures of workload and stressors that were encountered throughout the day.

   Post-Training Rating of Perceived Exertion Questionnaire-An adaption of the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, commonly referred to as RPE. The questionnaire requires participants to list the specific activity and the subjective measure of exercise intensity. The scale ranges from 6-20 (6=no exertion that is equivalent to rest and 20=maximal exertion).

3. Change from baseline in self-report measures

   Time frame: At baseline, at 8 weeks

   Big Five Inventory (BFI)-44 item inventory designed to measure the Big Five Factors of personality on a 5-point Likert Scale. Higher scores indicate a higher tendency for that personality trait (1=disagree strongly to 5=agree strongly).

   Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ)-10-item scale designed to measure tendency to regulate emotions. Each item is answered on a 7-point Likert Scale (1=strongly disagree to 7=strongly agree). Higher scores indicate a higher emotion regulation strategy.

   Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)-39 item inventory assesses the five facets of mindfulness on a 5-point Likert Scale (1=never or very rarely true and 5=very often or always true). Each facet is tallied and the sum total responses are divided by 39 (number of items). Higher scores indicate higher levels of mindfulness.

   State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI)-20 item inventory assesses state and trait anxiety. Values range from 20 to 80, with higher scores representing more severe anxiety.

4. Change in monthly self-report measures

   Time frame: At baseline, at 4 weeks, at 8 weeks

   Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS)- A 32 item inventory that assess subjective measures of physical, mental, and emotional recovery on a 7 point Likert Scale (0=does not apply at all to 6=fully applies). High values in overall recovery indicate feeling physically and mentally recovered. High values in overall stress indicate feeling overloaded and physically tired.

   Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)- 19 item inventory with 7 subjective components that assess sleep quality over time. Each component is scored from 0 to 3 (0=very good and 3=very bad). The sum of the components is the global score and ranges 0-21 (0=no difficulty and 21=severe difficulties). The higher the global score, the poorer the sleep quality.

5. Change in per session self-report measures

   Time frame: 2 times a week through study completion at 8 weeks

   State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) - Commonly used measure of state and trait anxiety, and done with 20 very brief questions. Values range from 20 to 80, with higher scores representing more severe anxiety. Participants will take the STAI questionnaire before and after each intervention session.