OBJECTIVE To conduct a preliminary investigation of the effects on floatation spa therapy on quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis to see if controlled trials are warranted. DESIGN Uncontrolled clinical trial. SETTING Private floatation spa therapy centre. PATIENTS Fourteen patients with chronic osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing joints, of whom four dropped out. INTERVENTIO...

Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) reduces sensory input to the nervous system through the act of floating supine in a pool of water saturated with Epsom salt. The float experience is calibrated so that sensory signals from visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, thermal, tactile, vestibular, gravitational and proprioceptive channels are minimized, as is most movement a...