Scientific Evidence
Four clinical trials with concordant results
The clinical trials DivStress, DivHope, CogniDive and ObeDive highlight the profound and lasting impact of the Bathysmed protocol. These four studies attest to the versatility and effectiveness of the Bathysmed protocol, providing new hope and innovative solutions for those seeking to improve their mental and physical health.
DivStress
DivStress paved the way by demonstrating the effectiveness of diving in stress management, with significant results observed in participants compared to a control group. This study not only validated the Bathysmed approach but also highlighted the sustainability of the positive effects of diving on mental well-being.
The DivStress study (2015-17) was a global first demonstrating the effectiveness of diving in stress management.
The clinical study DivStress, led by Frédéric Bénéton (co-founder of Bathysmed), coordinating a team of researchers from from multiple reknown hospitals & universities, showcased the efficacy of diving in stress management.
The study involved 67 subjects, aged 24 to 52. Participants were divided into two groups: a diving group and a control group. The first group underwent a week of diving (on average, 10 dives), while the control group engaged in a multisport activity.
Only the diving group experienced a significant improvement in their stress levels, as measured by the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS, relative to the control multi-sport group.
Significant reduction in perceived stress among divers - No effect among sport vacationers
Beneton et al., Frontiers in psychology, 2017
Furthermore, participants in the diving group continued to show an improvement in their stress levels one to two months after the workshop, demonstrating the lasting therapeutic effects of diving. This DivStress study is the very first published clinical research on the therapeutic benefits of diving. Read the full article
The DivStress study is the very first published research on the benefits of diving.
Read the full article here
DivHope
DivHope further delved into the findings of DivStress by focusing on individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress. The results demonstrated a notable improvement in symptoms among participants following the Bathysmed protocol, highlighting its effectiveness in contexts of acute and chronic stress.
The clinical study DivHope (2017-2018) aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Bathysmed® protocol on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
34 volunteers, survivors of the November 2015 Paris attacks, aged between 20 and 60, participated in the study. All had a diagnosis of PTSD at the time of inclusion.
Measurements of PTSD related symptomatology were broad-ranging and included:
- Psychometrics: severity of PTSD symptoms, subjects' ratings of well-being, emotional regulation, and mindfulness via validated scales
- Heart rate variability
- Recording of sleep quality
The results of the study showed that the diving group experienced a significant improvement in their post-traumatic stress state (decrease in the PCL-5 score) compared to the control group in the short term (end of the program and 1 month later).
There is a trend towards a greater decrease in the Bathysmed group compared to the controls (F=2.75; p=0.07) after three months
The DivHope study was largely funded by the Foundation for Victims of Terrorism. It was approved by the Southeast VI Ethics Committee on October 10, 2017, under the number NCT03332290
To learn more about the DivHope study, you can consult the complete study report, click here.
There is a trend towards a greater decrease in the Bathysmed group compared to the controls (F=2.75; p=0.07) after three months
The DivHope study was largely funded by the Foundation for Victims of Terrorism. It was approved by the Southeast VI Ethics Committee on October 10, 2017, under the number NCT03332290
To learn more about the DivHope study, you can consult the complete study report, click here.CogniDive
CogniDive expanded the scope of the protocol by examining the impact of Bathysmed on the quality of life and cognition in military personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress. The improvements observed in these areas reinforce the idea that Bathysmed provides benefits far beyond mere relaxation.
The CogniDive study (2018-2019) aimed to assess the impact of the Bathysmed® protocol on cognition in military personnel suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Military personnel suffering from PTSD
The initial post-training results demonstrated an improvement in the quality of life, cognition, and physiology of the subjects. The French military, sponsor of the study, has yet to publish these results
ObeDive
ObeDive demonstrated the efficacy of the Bathysmed® protocol on stress and emotional eating in obese individuals. This study highlights yet another application of Bathysmed®, in combination with its proprietary technology (a virtual reality device simulating diving), in the treatment of complex conditions related to chronic stress.
Obesity has been recognized as a chronic disease since 1997 (WHO 1997) with multifactorial causes. Globally, the number of people suffering from obesity (body mass index > 30) is estimated to be over 2 billion or 17% of adults. Obese individuals often face significant discrimination due to social stigma, contributing to further isolation and exacerbating stress-related pathologies, depression and emotional or binge eating.
Regular physical activity and mindfulness practices are frequently recommended to break this vicious cycle. However, the evidence for the practicality and sustainability of these methodologies are unclear.
This clinical research project, OBEDIVE, aimed to investigate whether the Bathysmed® protocol is an effective addition to a multidisciplinary treatment approach for individuals suffering from obesity.
The evaluated population consisted of 63 adult patients with obesity in two groups. The control group received multidisciplinary care for obesity which included lifestyle, dietary and psychological interventions while the experimental group received the same care with the addition of the Bathysmed® protocol.
The subjects were then exposed for a further month to a patented virtual reality device that enabled them to relive the diving sessions, to perpetuate the desired effects.
The effect of the Bathysmed® protocol on the emotional eating and perceived stress of participants at the end of the procedure (M2), and at 3 (M5) and 6 (M8) months after the end of the procedure was measured.
The results, currently in press, show a significant decrease in emotional eating and perceived stress for the experimental group compared to the control group, not only at the end of the treatment exposure (M2) but also six months later (M8). Significant decrease in perceived stress levels (PSS - Cohen) for the Bathysmed group.
Significant decrease in perceived stress levels (PSS - Cohen) for the Bathysmed group.
A specific effect of the virtual reality device has also been demonstrated. These very positive results open up a new path in the treatment of obesity and offer hope for other stress-related disorders. The Obedive study was funded by Bathysmed with the assistance of BPI France. It received approval from the Ile-de-France III ethics committee on June 7, 2022, under the number RIPH2G: 22.01819.000151. The results of the study are available HERE
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