Cross-Sensory Stimulations in Healthcare Settings: Exploring Potentialities and Understanding Barriers from a Professional Perspective
摘要
The use of environmental stimuli, such as light, sound, temperature, and textures, has gained prominence as a strategy to improve patient outcomes by integrating cross-sensory stimulations within healthcare settings. This study, part of a larger mixed-methods research, explores the potential of sensory design features to alleviate pain, reduce tension, and enhance mental well-being, while also examining the professional challenges that may arise. A survey was administered to healthcare professionals to assess: I) their perceptions of the current sensory quality of their workspaces; II) their experiences with specific sensory-based approaches (e.g., heat therapy, cryotherapy, TENS) in pain management; III) their views on the feasibility, challenges, effectiveness and willingness to incorporate sensory-rich treatments as pain control approach in clinical practice. The survey incorporated PrEmo® expressions to capture emotional responses to both real hospital environments and to AI generated environments (e.g., waiting area, an infirmary, and a recovery room) designed with a cross-sensory strategy. Quantitative analyses and Mann-Whitney U test revealed that the proposed cross-sensory-based environments were statistically preferred emotionally over the current settings. Despite the acknowledged benefits, significant barriers to implementation were identified, including institutional resistance, financial constraints, and the need for staff training. The findings suggest that while cross-sensory stimulations have substantial potential to transform healthcare environments, target strategies are necessary to address practical challenges, particularly involving healthcare professionals in the design process.