In order to study the role of stress upon performance as a function of age and personality type, participants were derived from three different occupational categories. Performance ability during stress and health condition of participants were studied through application of the Stroop Color and Word Test, the Stress and Energy Instrument, the Glare Pressure Test and systolic blood pressure measurements -whereas the four different personality types were derived through application of the Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) scales. It was found that self-actualization individuals (i.e. those demonstrating high positive affect and low negative affect) showed the best performance under the influence of stress whereas the high affective (i.e. high positive affect and high negative affect) showed the lowest levels of systolic blood pressure during resting. No differences in performance during stress were found between the younger and older participants encompassed by high positive affect, whereas an age difference was shown for high negative affect individuals. Regularity of exercise was associated with high positive affect and contributed to the ability of older participants to attain levels of performance comparable with those of younger participants.

INTRODUCTION:The purpose of the present study was to examine the potential effects of attention-placebo on flotation tank therapy. Flotation-restricted environmental stimulation technique is a method whereby an individual lies in a floating tank and all stimuli are reduced to a minimum. METHODS: Thirty-two patients were diagnosed as having stressrelated muscular pain. In addition, 16 of the participants had received the diagnosis of burnout depression. The patients were treated with flotation-restricted environmental stimulation technique for six weeks. One-half of the patients were also given special attention for 12 weeks (high attention), while the remainder received attention for only six weeks (normal attention). RESULTS: The participants exhibited lowered blood pressure, reduced pain, anxiety, depression, stress and negative affectivity, as well as increased optimism, energy and positive affectivity. The results were largely unaffected by the degree of attention-placebo or diagnosis. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that flotation therapy is an effective, noninvasive method for treating stress-related pain, and that the method is not more affected by placebo than by other methods currently used in pain treatment. The treatment of both burnout depression and pain related to muscle tension constitutes a major challenge for the patient as well as the care provider, an area in which great gains can be made if the treatment is effective. Flotation therapy may constitute an integral part of such treatment.Key Words: Attention; Depression; Flotation-restricted environmental stimulation technique; Pain; Placebo; Relaxation response Les effets de la méthode REST par flottation sur la douleur musculaire reliée au stress : Ce qui fait la différence dans la thérapie -le placebo-attention ou la réponse de relaxation?INTRODUCTION : L'étude visait à examiner les effets potentiels du placebo-attention sur la thérapie par bain flottant. La technique de stimulation environnementale réduite par flottation est une méthode selon laquelle un individu est couché dans un bain flottant et tous les stimuli sont réduits au minimum. MÉTHODOLOGIE : Trente-deux patients avaient reçu un diagnostic de douleurs musculaires reliées au stress. Seize d'entre eux souffraient également d'épuisement professionnel diagnostiqué. Les patients ont été traités au moyen de la technique de stimulation environnementale réduite par flottation pendant six semaines. La moitié des patients ont également reçu une attention spéciale pendant 12 semaines (attention élevée), tandis que les autres n'en ont reçu que pendant six semaines (attention normale). RÉSULTATS : Les participants affichaient une diminution de la tension artérielle, de la douleur, de l'anxiété, de la dépression, du stress et de l'affectivité négative, ainsi qu'une augmentation de l'optimisme, de l'énergie et de l'affectivité positive. Les résultats étaient en grande partie inchangés par le degré de placebo-attention ou le diagnostic. CONCLUSION : On a conclu que la thérapie par flottation est un...

The aim of the study was to investigate whether or not 33 flotation sessions were more effective for stress-related ailments than 12 sessions. Participants were 37 patients, 29 women and 8 men, all diagnosed as having stress-related pain of a muscle tension type. The patients were randomized to one of two conditions: 12 flotation-REST treatments or 33 flotation-REST treatments. Analyses for subjective pain typically indicated that 12 sessions were enough to get considerable improvements and no further improvements were noticed after 33 sessions. A similar pattern was observed concerning the stress-related psychological variables: experienced stress, anxiety, depression, negative affectivity, dispositional optimism, and sleep quality. For blood pressure no effects were observed after 12 sessions, but there was a significant lower level for diastolic blood pressure after 33 sessions. The present study highlighted the importance of finding suitable complementary treatments in order to make further progress after the initial 12 sessions.

IntroductionThe objective of this qualitative case report was to describe experiences of flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique from the perspective of a woman with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Aspergers syndrome and experiences of depression and distress.Case presentationThe respondent is a 36-year-old woman from Sweden, assessed and diagnosed by a neuropsychological multi-professional team in 2006. The 19-session flotation series prolonged during almost one year.ConclusionThe positive development of arousal control, activity regulation, sensory integration and interpretation, cognitive functioning and emotional maturity created experiences of personal independence and quality of life. Flotation-restrictive environmental stimulation technique was experienced as a meaningful treatment. Additional studies of treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and comorbid disorders in adults using the flotation-restrictive environmental stimulation technique are strongly encouraged.

Thirty-two patients (29 women and 3 men) with stress-related ailments were recruited through the Community Health Care Centre in the city of Lidköping, Sweden. The mean age was 47.75 years (SD = 8.30).