Exploring Effect of Chamber Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy on Salivary Cortisol and Information Overload in Young Adults

Abstract

Environmental challenges like noise, light exposure, and information overload impact young adults' overall health, reducing time for self-care. Restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST), specifically chamber REST, offers a cost-effective intervention for stress management. In our study, 49 participants in chamber REST (N = 35) and a control group (N = 14) were compared. Measures, including cortisol, information overload, anxiety, stress, rumination, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, were assessed before and after treatment, and selected at 1 week follow-up. Results showed no cortisol concentration differences, but at the 1 week follow-up, the chamber REST group reported significantly lower information overload, t(45) = −3.04, p = .004, η2 = .17 and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, t(46) = −2.1, p = .042, than the control group. Correlational analysis revealed a calming effect in the chamber REST (r = .421, p = 0.015) but not in the control condition (r = −.096, p = 0.744). In conclusion, chamber REST seems to foster adaptive self-reflection, aiding coping, and resilience against information overload and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in young adults, suggesting its potential as an effective preventative intervention.