Multisensory design to reduce anxiety in hospital waiting areas
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of multisensory design as an anxiety-reducing intervention in hospital waiting area
IRAS ID
325665
Contact name
Xinyuan Zhang
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the Arts London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 7 days
Research summary
This study is about using multisensory design (multisensory design involves an intervention that appeals to a combination of different senses, such as sight, sound and smell) within a hospital setting. Extensive studies have demonstrated the negative emotional impact of clinical settings for patients and visitors, particularly in terms of anxiety which adversely affect patients (McDermott et al., 2017; Brown, 1961; Leather et al., 2003). Research on multisensory design suggests that natural environments and multisensory stimuli can effectively reduce anxiety and enhance well-being. Research by Kühle (2020) and Adolphs (2004) reveals the intricate relationship between sensory perception and emotional response. Studies indicate that natural elements, such as plants and water, capture human attention more effectively than urban settings, and people generally prefer environments enriched with these features (Ulrich, 1979; 1984; Laumann et al., 2003; Balling & Falk, 1982; Hong & Jeon, 2013). Based on these principles, this proposed intervention aims to implement multisensory design in hospital waiting rooms by integrating visual, auditory, and olfactory elements to create a calming environment. By immersing patients and visitors in a natural, multisensory environment, the intervention strives to reduce anxiety and improve satisfaction during their waiting experience.
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of using different combinations of sensory stimulation to create an indoor nature environment to reduce negative emotions in hospital waiting rooms. The current project seeks to answer two key questions:
(1) How can a multisensory installation be designed to effectively meet the specific sensory needs and preferences of patients and visitors in a hospital waiting area?
(2) What effect does this multisensory intervention have on the emotional state (specifically anxiety) of hospital waiting room users in these settings?The research will be conducted at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (C&W Hospital) in London. The researcher will administer two psychological questionnaires, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), as well as a self-developed questionnaire (pre-intervention questionnaire), in the unmodified waiting room to assess participants' emotional states and gather perceptions of the space. These findings will guide the design of the multisensory intervention. The completed intervention will then be installed in the outpatient department of C&W Hospital for field testing, allowing waiting room users to experience it in the corresponding environment. The emotional responses of hospital waiting room users will be assessed again using the STAI, PANAS, and the self-developed questionnaire (post-intervention questionnaire). Additionally, twenty participants (ten waiting room users, ten medical workers in out-patient department) will be invited to participate in semi-structured interviews at this stage to provide further insights into their experiences with this design.
The project aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for incorporating multisensory design in healthcare settings to enhance hospital waiting room users’ experience. If successful, findings from this study may inform future healthcare design practices by demonstrating how thoughtfully designed environments can positively influence emotional and psychological outcomes.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
25/NS/0030
Date of REC Opinion
2 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion