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report:soa [2026/04/12 21:08] – [Products] epsatisepreport:soa [2026/04/30 10:59] (current) – [Healing environments in hospitals] team6
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 ===== Background and Related Work ===== ===== Background and Related Work =====
-//This chapter provides the reader with the relevant technical-scientific background as well as existing related products and research, also known as the state of the art, in the field(s) of the project.//+
  
 ==== Research ==== ==== Research ====
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 ==== Introduction ==== ==== Introduction ====
  
-Research shows that the environment in healthcare facilities has a significant impact on patient well-being and recovery. Sterile and impersonal environments can increase stress and anxiety, especially in children prior to medical procedures. Studies using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) report anxiety prevalence rates between 13.3% and 29.3% [(Cianetti2017)]. +Research shows that the environment in healthcare facilities has a significant impact on patient well-being and recovery. Sterile and impersonal environments can increase stress and anxiety, especially in children prior to medical procedures. Studies using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) report anxiety prevalence rates between 13.3 % and 29.3 % [(Cianetti2017)]. 
  
 Introducing calming visual elements such as nature imagery, colors, and familiar environments can help reduce psychological stress and improve emotional comfort. In this context, digital technologies such as projection systems and virtual reality are increasingly used to create immersive and engaging environments. These technologies aim to distract patients from anxiety, pain, and medical procedures, thereby improving the overall patient experience. Introducing calming visual elements such as nature imagery, colors, and familiar environments can help reduce psychological stress and improve emotional comfort. In this context, digital technologies such as projection systems and virtual reality are increasingly used to create immersive and engaging environments. These technologies aim to distract patients from anxiety, pain, and medical procedures, thereby improving the overall patient experience.
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 === Healing environments in hospitals === === Healing environments in hospitals ===
  
-The physical environment of hospitals can have a significant influence on patient recovery and well-being. A study made in 2025 [(Wang2025)] show that the stress and anxiety experienced by patients during waiting periods can be reduced through a color-light interaction design system. The current sterile and neutral hospital/waiting rooms should include more calming elements such as colors, natural imagery, and familiar visual environments, in order to help create a more healing and welcoming atmosphere.+According to the principles of Evidence-Based Design (EBD) intoruced previously, a "healing environment is defined as a physical space where the interaction between patients, staff, and the environment actively results in positive health outcomes [(Huisman2012)]. Rather than passive background for medical procedures, the physical setting is now more often recognised as both a "tool and healer" that can support the welness process through psychophysiological effects [(Devlin20030)]. To transform sterile, standard clinical waiting rooms into a functioning healing environment, some core environmental and psychological factors must be adressed.
  
-In addition, sensory stimuli such as scent can influence patient experience. For example, scents like orange and lavender have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels [(Lehrner2005)]. When applied before treatments, patients demonstrate calmer and less anxious behavior.+**Sensory overload and mitigating surroundings stressors**
  
 +The traditional concept of the healing environments relies on minimizing ambient stressors that causes anxiety. Hospitals and clinics are elementally filled with environmental stressors, including unfamiliar medical equipment, harsh lightning, lack of privacy [(Devlin20030)]. Excessive clinical noise from paging systems, alarms and voices are also source of distress [(Devlin20030)]. In some clinical units, equipment noise levels can reach up to 90 dB(A), which is equivalent to the threshold where hearing loss can begin [(Devlin20030)]. These uncontrolled acoustic environments disrupt rest, increase blood pressure, and heighten feelings of helplessness [(Devlin20030)].
 +To effectively stop this sensory overload, spaces must be designed with acoustic comfort in mind. Providing sound-absorbing materials, such as specialized acoustic panels or ceiling tiles significantly reduces noise propagation and lowers the stress for bith patients and staff [(Devlin20030)], [(Sara2017)]. 
  
 +**Privacy and control** 
 +
 +Another psychological contributor to hospital-induced anxiety is the patient's loss of control over their unfamiliar surroundings.  When patients feel they have lost control over every sesnory input or task, it triggers cognitive, affective and physiological consequences that can strongly interfere with treatment and recovery [(Devlin20030)].
 +Providing patients with the ability to take control over their immediate environment - such as adjusting lighting, temperature or sound - restores their autonomy and act as a powerful buffer against stress [(Huisman20120)], [(Devlin20030)]. Additionaly, traditional waiting areas usually lack adequate privacy; for instance , overhearing clinica conversations at a reception desk is a frequently cited stressor [(Huisman201200)]. Providing a semi-enclosed, private sanctuary shields the patients from the unpredictable nature of a shared waiting room, restoring a sense of security  [(Huisman201200)].
 +
 +**Multisensory experience: Scent, Visuals, Light**
 +
 +An advanced healing environment utilizes multisensory, non-pharmacological interventions to regulate patient emotions, such as:
 +  * Color and Light interaction: 
 +The color and type of light around us have a big impact on how we feel [(Devlin20030)]. Research shows that light that changes or moves creates much stronger emotional feelings than light that stays the same [(Wang2025)]. Scientists have found that using green or blue-green light along with slow, guided breathing - specifically one breath every 5 seconds - helps the body relax [(Wang2025)]. This effectively increases Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and quickly lowers feelings of stress or tension waiting in a room [(Wang2025)]. Additionally, looking at nature or pictures of landscapes is a great distraction that easily keeps people's attention and helps them feel more peaceful [(Huisman2012)].
 +  * Scent stimulation
 +Our sense of smell is connected directly to the parts of the brain that handle emotions, so certain scents can quickly change how we feel. Studies show that smelling specific scents, especially orange and lavender oils, works like a natural way to relax the body [(Lehrner20050)]. When these smells are used in dental waiting rooms, they greatly lower anxiety and help patients feel much calmer and happier while they wait for their treatment [(Lehrner2005)].
 +
 +In summary, an effective healing environment must address these diverse sensory needs simultaneously. By integrating acoustic control, lighting, calming scents, and architectural privacy, a space can actively counteract the depersonalization and fear often felt in hospitals, calming the patient before they ever reach the doctor's room.
 === Digital distraction therapy ===  === Digital distraction therapy === 
  
 Digital distraction therapy is increasingly used in healthcare to help patients cope with stress, anxiety, and pain. The idea behind distraction therapy is to shift the patient’s attention away from medical procedures or discomfort [(Hiwat2021)]. Digital distraction therapy is increasingly used in healthcare to help patients cope with stress, anxiety, and pain. The idea behind distraction therapy is to shift the patient’s attention away from medical procedures or discomfort [(Hiwat2021)].
 Examples include: Examples include:
-  * Virtual Reality (VR) headsets which have been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and pain perception in pediatric patients during medical procedures. [(Robin2019)], [(Yun2015)].+  * Virtual Reality (VR) headsets which have been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and pain perception in pediatric patients during medical procedures [(Robin2019)], [(Yun2015)].
  
-  * Interactive walls and projection systems have been implemented in hospitals to create engaging environments that distract patients and improve emotional comfort. [(Huisman2012)], [(Li2023)].+  * Interactive walls and projection systems have been implemented in hospitals to create engaging environments that distract patients and improve emotional comfort [(Huisman2012)], [(Li2023)].
  
-  * Digital games and immersive environments have been explored as effective tools to increase patient engagement and reduce perceived stress in healthcare settings. [(Wu2022)] +  * Digital games and immersive environments have been explored as effective tools to increase patient engagement and reduce perceived stress in healthcare settings [(Wu2022)]. 
-Relevance for this project:+ 
 + 
 +/*Relevance for this project:*/
 These findings highlight the importance of distraction as a mechanism for reducing anxiety. However, many existing solutions rely on screens or wearable devices. This project builds on these insights by creating a more immersive, non-wearable environment that integrates distraction into the surrounding space. These findings highlight the importance of distraction as a mechanism for reducing anxiety. However, many existing solutions rely on screens or wearable devices. This project builds on these insights by creating a more immersive, non-wearable environment that integrates distraction into the surrounding space.
  
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 Al-Nerabieah et al. (2020) [(Zuhair2020)]  evaluated the impact of VR eyeglasses in a dental waiting room and found that their use significantly decreased anxiety levels in children aged 6–10 years. While VR offers high levels of immersion, it requires wearable devices, which may be uncomfortable or impractical in some healthcare situations. Al-Nerabieah et al. (2020) [(Zuhair2020)]  evaluated the impact of VR eyeglasses in a dental waiting room and found that their use significantly decreased anxiety levels in children aged 6–10 years. While VR offers high levels of immersion, it requires wearable devices, which may be uncomfortable or impractical in some healthcare situations.
  
-Relevance for this project:+/*Relevance for this project:*/
 VR demonstrates the strong impact of immersive environments on anxiety reduction. However, the reliance on wearable devices introduces limitations in hygiene, comfort, and usability. This project takes inspiration from the immersive aspect of VR, while eliminating the need for wearables. VR demonstrates the strong impact of immersive environments on anxiety reduction. However, the reliance on wearable devices introduces limitations in hygiene, comfort, and usability. This project takes inspiration from the immersive aspect of VR, while eliminating the need for wearables.
 === Cocoon environments ===  === Cocoon environments === 
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   * Immersive projection environments that transform spaces into calming scenes, such as nature or abstract environments, have been shown to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being in healthcare settings were successfully tested in this study [(Li2023)].   * Immersive projection environments that transform spaces into calming scenes, such as nature or abstract environments, have been shown to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being in healthcare settings were successfully tested in this study [(Li2023)].
   * Soft lighting systems combined with visual environments, such as natural or familiar imagery, can create a more relaxing atmosphere in patient rooms and improve emotional comfort were tested by this study [(Huisman2012)].   * Soft lighting systems combined with visual environments, such as natural or familiar imagery, can create a more relaxing atmosphere in patient rooms and improve emotional comfort were tested by this study [(Huisman2012)].
-  * Enclosed or semi-enclosed relaxation spaces can provide patients with a sense of privacy and safety, reducing external stimuli and contributing to lower stress levels were explored by [[https://indigenouspsych.org/Discussion/forum/Health%20Care%20Environment%20and%20Patient%20Outcomes.pdf| (see link)]].+  * Enclosed or semi-enclosed relaxation spaces can provide patients with a sense of privacy and safety, reducing external stimuli and contributing to lower stress levels were explored by [(Devlin2003)]
  
-Relevance for this project:+/*Relevance for this project:*/
 These concepts form the foundation of the proposed solution. By combining immersion, multisensory stimulation, and a semi-enclosed structure, the cocoon integrates the most effective elements identified in the literature. This allows the design to create a controlled, calming environment that enhances both emotional comfort and anxiety reduction. These concepts form the foundation of the proposed solution. By combining immersion, multisensory stimulation, and a semi-enclosed structure, the cocoon integrates the most effective elements identified in the literature. This allows the design to create a controlled, calming environment that enhances both emotional comfort and anxiety reduction.
  
 ==== Products ==== ==== Products ====
-//Search, select and describe related commercial solutions//+/* //Search, select and describe related commercial solutions// */
  
 Market Analysis – Healing Spaces Market Analysis – Healing Spaces
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 == Direct Competitors == == Direct Competitors ==
  
 +\\
  **Philips Healthcare – Ambient Experience**   **Philips Healthcare – Ambient Experience** 
  
 __What they do:__ __What they do:__
-Philips Healthcare [(Philips2026)] is a market leader in creating immersive healthcare environments by integrating dynamic lighting, video projection, and sound into treatment spaces such as MRI and CT rooms.+Philips Healthcare [(Philips2026)] is a market leader in creating immersive healthcare environments by integrating dynamic lighting, video projection, and sound into treatment spaces such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) rooms.
  
 __Strengths:__ __Strengths:__
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 __Weaknesses:__ __Weaknesses:__
-Extremely expensive and primarily focused on diagnostic environments (MRI/CT), making it less accessible for everyday patient rooms or long-term care settings.  +Extremely expensive and primarily focused on diagnostic environments (MRI, CT rooms), making it less accessible for everyday patient rooms or long-term care settings. 
  
 +\\
 **Qwiek (Qwiek.up)**  **Qwiek (Qwiek.up)** 
  
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 This solution demonstrates the potential of projection-based environments but lacks immersion and a sense of personal, enclosed space, which our cocoon concept aims to provide.  This solution demonstrates the potential of projection-based environments but lacks immersion and a sense of personal, enclosed space, which our cocoon concept aims to provide. 
  
 +\\
 == Indirect Competitors & Substitutes == == Indirect Competitors & Substitutes ==
  
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 ==== Projects ==== ==== Projects ====
-//Search, select and describe related research projects//+/* //Search, select and describe related research projects// */ 
 + 
 +=== Market Trends === 
 +/* (Trends & Drivers) */
  
-  * **Market Trends** (Trends & Drivers) 
 **Evidence-Based Design** (EBD) **Evidence-Based Design** (EBD)
  
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 Research [(Nicole2025)] shows that the physical hospital environment directly influences patient recovery, stress levels, and overall well-being.  Research [(Nicole2025)] shows that the physical hospital environment directly influences patient recovery, stress levels, and overall well-being. 
  
-  * **Staff Shortages & Efficiency**+**Staff Shortages & Efficiency**
  
 Healthcare systems are increasingly facing staff shortages, creating a demand for solutions that can support patient care without requiring constant supervision. Technologies that help calm, distract, or engage patients can reduce the workload on healthcare professionals. Healthcare systems are increasingly facing staff shortages, creating a demand for solutions that can support patient care without requiring constant supervision. Technologies that help calm, distract, or engage patients can reduce the workload on healthcare professionals.
  
-Design interventions and environmental solutions can reduce patient stress while simultaneously improving workflow efficiency, helping to relieve pressure on healthcare staff [(Judy2004)]+Design interventions and environmental solutions can reduce patient stress while simultaneously improving workflow efficiency, helping to relieve pressure on healthcare staff [(Judy2004)].
 ==== Comparative Analysis ==== ==== Comparative Analysis ====
  
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 <WRAP round box 800px> <WRAP round box 800px>
 <table tab:modalities> <table tab:modalities>
-<caption>Add caption</caption>+<caption>Comparative table of solutions</caption>
 ^ Solution ^ Immersion ^ Comfort ^ Hygiene ^ Practicality ^ Feasability ^ Total ^ ^ Solution ^ Immersion ^ Comfort ^ Hygiene ^ Practicality ^ Feasability ^ Total ^
 |VR Headset|5|2|2|2|3|14| |VR Headset|5|2|2|2|3|14|
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