The influence of communal spaces on patient activity in rehabilitation: a mixed methods study

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to determine whether patients are more active in communal spaces compared to their bedrooms and explore patient perspectives on communal spaces for activity, rest, and wellbeing.

Materials and methods

A prospective study observed participants via behavioural mapping in a mixed inpatient rehabilitation unit for up to three days. Physical, social, and cognitive activity levels in communal spaces were compared with activity in bedrooms using independent t-tests. Three focus groups explored participants’ perspectives on communal spaces for activity, rest and wellbeing using thematic analysis.

Results

Thirty-three participants (age 71.6 ± 13years, 39%male) were observed, and a subset (n = 12) (age 67.3 ± 16.9, 50%male) participated in focus groups. Participants spent a greater proportion of time being physically active (mean difference 22.7%, 95%CI 8.7–36.6, p = 0.002) and socially active (mean difference 23.6%, 95%CI 9.1–38.1, p = 0.002) in communal spaces than bedrooms. No difference in cognitive activity was found. Participants perceived communal spaces to positively influence mood and activity. Reduced independence was a barrier, while visitors, activities, and an inviting design attracted people to communal areas.

Conclusion

Communal spaces may positively influence patient activity and mood during inpatient rehabilitation. Future studies should seek strategies to optimise engagement in communal environments.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Optimising patient activity throughout the day in inpatient rehabilitation is important to support recovery.

• Communal spaces in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals can positively influence patient activity and mood.

• Strategies to promote use of communal spaces in the inpatient rehabilitation hospital are needed.

Keywords:

• Health facility environment
• hospital design and construction
• rehabilitation
• physical activity
• qualitative
• mood

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the participants for their time and commitment to this study. We also would like to acknowledge Mia Behncken, Yu Yan See, Tahlia Alsop (TA) and the clinical staff at STARS for their assistance with data collection. Additional thanks to Ian Parker for providing input through the writing process. Nil funding received.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.