Restricted environmental stimulation and psychopathology

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the possible influence of the overall context of a modified version of Chamber REST (Darkness Therapy - "DT") on the psychopathological induction. The research sample consisted of 37 clients of the Beskydy Rehabilitation Centre in Celadna who willingly underwent a week of restricted environmental stimulation - DT (a version of Chamber REST), during 2012 - 2013. The age ranged between 25 and 84 (M = 45.86; SD = 13.16). The sample consisted of 17 women and 20 men. The participants were selected by purposive voluntary sampling. A week before the DT stay, each of the subjects filled in the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). Three weeks after they completed the procedure they received SCL-90 again. The data obtained were evaluated by the SPSS software. When comparing the values measured before and after the stay in the researched modification of Chamber REST (Dark Therapy) environment, we found a significant difference on all scales and on a total score, too.