An Evaluation of a Sensory Room within an Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the impact of a sensory room on consumer arousal (either self-reported or observed) in an adult mental health rehabiilitation unit. Retrospective, single group descriptive methods were utilized, along with a poisson regression to explore the rooms usage on weekdays and weekends. A significant reduction in arousal was reported following sensory room use (z = 17.78, p < 0.001). Gender had no impact, although weak correlations suggested older consumers may remain more aroused post room use and experience less overall change in arousal. The room was used significantly less (p < 0.001) on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. This study supports existing evidence on the use of sensory rooms, and provides new findings related to the rehabilitation context.

Keywords:

• Sensory modulation
• mental health
• rehabilitation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.