Physiological and psychological effects of rapid relaxation devices using sensorial immersion: a pilot study

Abstract

In developed societies, the number of people diagnosed with chronic stress-related illnesses has risen rapidly in recent years. To meet the increasing demand for relaxation and well-being, several companies have developed relaxation installations to be used within business premises or in public locations. The effects of such devices on physiological and psychological parameters have not been scientifically tested yet. This pilot study (N=40) evaluates the variations of 4 physiological and 11 psychological parameters on four different groups, three of them using a different rapid (15 minute) sensorial immersion relaxation devices and a control group using no device. The objective of the study was to identify the psychological and psychological parameters of interest and to study the effects of the devices on these parameters. Physiological parameters measured included heart rate, blood pressure, SpO2 and posture. Psychological parameters included an anxiety survey and four numerical scales to evaluate well-being, energy gain, and subjective muscular and nervous relaxation. We also used cognitive tests and verbatim reports. We identified significant physiological and psychological parameters that can be of use for evaluating rapid relaxation devices (particularly mean blood pressure, posture, subjective muscular and nervous relaxation and some of the cognitive test results). Interestingly, the parameters variations differed between groups. This study paves the way for further analysis of relaxation devices and suggests that rapid sensorial immersion relaxation devices can be of use in stressful environments. Each device could particularly help specific users, depending upon their needs.