Taylor & Francis 2024

A qualitative study of the effect of sensory rooms based on interviews with 20 participants hospitalized in acute, intensive, and open psychiatric wards in Copenhagen shows that most participants had a positive experience under the guidance of the department’s physiotherapists or occupational therapists. The participants described a significant increase in both physical and mental calm, as well as an enhanced sense of security, which made a significant difference during their hospitalization. For many, this improvement also extended to their expectations and opportunities in everyday life after discharge.

Staying in the sensory rooms helped the participants reconnect with their bodies and allowed them to experience deep inner peace. Over time, they used sensory stimulation approaches to develop self-management strategies that supported their participation in daily activities.