How Nature Views Affect Hospital Recovery Times

David Palenski
31st January, 2024

How Nature Views Affect Hospital Recovery Times

Proportional representation of the types of exposures to nature studied (n = 43).

Image adapted from: Guidolin et al. / CC BY (Source)
The hospital environment can significantly impact a patient’s well-being, and increasingly, researchers are exploring how incorporating natural elements – a concept known as biophilic design – can improve recovery. While the idea isn’t new, most research has focused on long-term care facilities. A recent scoping review from the University of Toronto[1] aimed to consolidate existing evidence on the effects of nature exposure during acute hospital stays – meaning short-term, immediate care. The study involved a comprehensive search of published research, initially identifying nearly 13,000 articles. After careful screening, 41 studies were included in the review. These studies examined various forms of nature exposure, categorizing them into seven types: views of nature through windows, the presence of natural light, natural sounds, artwork depicting nature, direct contact with natural settings, and immersive experiences using virtual reality (VR). The review found that exposure to nature generally had a positive, though modest, effect on patients’ psychological state. Specifically, patients reported lower levels of anxiety and depression, reduced pain, and increased satisfaction with their care. The strength of these benefits appeared to correlate with the length of exposure and the degree to which the experience engaged multiple senses – for example, combining visual views with natural sounds. These findings align with earlier research demonstrating the positive impact of the physical environment on patient experience. For instance, studies have shown that women in labor benefit from viewing nature imagery, experiencing lower heart rates and improved perceptions of care quality[2]. This suggests that natural stimuli can have a calming effect, reducing stress and potentially improving physiological outcomes. Similarly, research on stroke patients revealed that access to views of the outside world provided a welcome distraction and a sense of normality, even when social interaction was limited[3]. However, it’s important to note that this study focused on single-room designs, and the need for both privacy and communal spaces was highlighted. The Toronto review expands on these earlier observations by examining a broader range of nature exposures and focusing specifically on the acute care setting. While the study acknowledges the variability in research methods across the included studies, the overall trend suggests a consistent, albeit small, benefit. The use of virtual reality as a means of delivering nature experiences is particularly noteworthy, as it offers a potential solution for patients who lack access to natural views or outdoor spaces. Interestingly, a separate study investigating the impact of window-side beds in general wards found no significant difference in delirium rates between patients with and without window views[4]. This seemingly contradictory finding highlights the complexity of the relationship between the physical environment and patient outcomes. It’s possible that the mere presence of a window isn’t sufficient; the quality of the view, the patient’s ability to engage with it, and other factors may play a crucial role. The Toronto review supports this idea, emphasizing the importance of immersive and prolonged exposure to nature.

EnvironmentHealthMental Health

References

Main Study

1) The Influence of Exposure to Nature on Inpatient Hospital Stays: A Scoping Review.

Published 30th January, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1177/19375867231221559

Related Studies

2) The Influence of Nature Stimulus in Enhancing the Birth Experience.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586716665581

3) "It's Lonely": Patients' Experiences of the Physical Environment at a Newly Built Stroke Unit.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586718806696

4) Hospital Admission to a Window-Side Bed Does Not Prevent Delirium: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Older Medical Inpatients in General Wards.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.744581


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