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------------------------------------------------------- REST AS A CAPSULE EXPERIENCE: IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH This paper examines the features of exotic, enclosed environments, using catalogues suggested by Sells (1973), Harrison and Connors (1984), and Suedfeld (1986). From the work of these and other researchers, three general dimensions relating to stationary capsule environments are derived: crew characteristics, physical space, and time factors. These dimensions are discussed in light of their applicability to REST environments, with special consideration being given to the REST experience as a significant marker event. ------------------------------------------------------- EEG AND SUBJECTIVE CORRELATES OF ALPHA FREQUENCY BINAURAL BEATS STIMULATION COMBINED WITH ALPHA BIOFEEDBACK The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of alpha frequency binaural beats stimulation combined with alpha biofeedback on alpha frequency brain wave production and subjective experience of mental and physical relaxation. The study compared the alpha production and subjective report of four groups, each of which received brief relaxation response training and one of four treatments: 1) alpha frequency binaural beats stimulation, 2) visual alpha frequency brain wave biofeedback, 3) alpha frequency binaural beats stimulation combined with visual alpha biofeedback, or 4) artificially produced ocean surf sounds. Sixty volunteer undergraduate and graduate students were randomly assigned to the four groups and instructed to utilize their respective treatment as the "mental device" in Benson's relaxation response paradigm while they relaxed with eyes open for twenty minutes. Two 2 X 4 mixed ANOVAs revealed that all groups evidenced increased subjective report of relaxation and increased alpha production. An interaction effect was found in which the group with both alpha binaural beats and alpha biofeedback produced more treatment alpha than the group with alpha biofeedback alone. Additionally, nine of the fifteen subjects with both binaural beats and feedback reported being able to control alpha production via their focus on the alpha binaural beats. The data suggest the possibility that binaural beats can be used to enhance awareness of and control of specific cortical potentials. Implications for combining brainwave biofeedback, frequency-following-response techniques and Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) to promote the self-regulation and management of consciousness are discussed. ------------------------------------------------------- THE EFFECTS OF FLOTATION REST ON MUSICAL CREATIVITY This paper describes the experiment (Experiment 2) that was conducted following the one (Experiment 1) presented at the 1993 conference in Seattle. Experiment 1 found that after floating for 1 hr./week for 4 consecutive weeks, 14 post-secondary music majors were rated as showing significantly more improvement than a control group in concentration, but not in focus nor technical skill. The current experiment investigated the effects of an identical regimen of flotation REST on musical creativity in 24 post- secondary jazz improvisation students through changes in improvisation, creativity, expressiveness, technical skill and overall quality. There was no significant difference between the experimental and control group on any of the measures taken, but the experimental group did significantly better on final jazz improvisation grades. Explanations are provided as to why the effect detected in final jazz improvisation grades was absent in improvisation measured through performance, and the results are discussed in the context of the Budzynski hypothesis. There were the first studies to assess the skill-enhancing effects of flotation REST on the performance of advanced musicians.
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