ReviewJournal of pain research2026
A Scoping Review of Flotation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) for Chronic Pain and Associated Comorbidities.
Review in Journal of pain research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (flotation-REST) is a novel nonpharmacologic intervention for chronic pain. Previous reviews have examined the effects of flotation-REST on other outcomes, but a comprehensive review centered on chronic pain has not been conducted. Objective: To describe the extent, range, and nature of research evaluating flotation-REST for chronic pain and associated comorbidities, including psychological, physiological, and biomarker outcomes. Eligibility Criteria: No restrictions were placed on study design or setting. Studies conducted in animals, not published in English, or assessing outcomes outside the scope of the review were excluded. Sources of Evidence: Ovid MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to January 2025. Reference lists of relevant studies and reviews were screened. Charting Methods: Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts. One reviewer extracted data. Variables included study design, population, controls, outcomes, and intervention parameters. Risk of bias for randomized trials was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Results: Eight studies (6 randomized controlled trials, and 2 single-arm pre/post) comprising 401 participants met inclusion criteria. Studies consistently reported improvements in pain intensity and frequency, fewer pain locations, and greater pain tolerance and detection. Anxiety and depression were substantially reduced in most studies. Sleep quality and latency improved in some studies, though others reported no benefit. Stress consistently declined, and optimism increased. Physiological outcomes were variable. Biomarker analysis demonstrated a post-treatment reduction in 3 methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG), a norepinephrine metabolite, and increased prolactin. Considerable heterogeneity in study designs, intervention protocols, outcome measures, and follow-up duration precluded meta-analysis. Conclusion: Flotation-REST appears promising for reducing chronic pain and enhancing psychological well-being. Physiological and biomarker effects remain unclear. High-quality randomized trials with standardized interventions and longitudinal follow-up are needed to confirm efficacy, sustainability, and clinical applicability.
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