'It provided me with a sense of safety that I hadn't felt in weeks.' A qualitative case study of service users' experiences with sensory rooms in psychiatric inpatient units.

Abstract

Introduction: Sensory rooms are environments designed to provide sensory input to help service users regulate arousal and manage distress. Sensory rooms are widely implemented in psychiatric inpatient units, but limited knowledge exists on how the sensory rooms are perceived by those who use them. This study investigated service users' experiences with sensory rooms during admission.

Methods: A qualitative case study using semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 participants, admitted in acute, intensive, and open inpatient psychiatric units in Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants used the sensory rooms under guidance from occupational therapists or physiotherapists and were subsequently interviewed about their experiences. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.

Results: Participants reported that being in the sensory rooms helped them to reconnect to their body and to experience peace of mind. Over time, participants used the sensory approaches to develop self-management strategies and enable participation in activities.

Conclusion: This study concludes that most of the participants had a positive experience in the sensory room under guidance from one of the unit's physio or occupational therapists. Participants experienced increased physical and mental calmness in the sensory room and an increased sense of safety which made a difference during their admission and, for several of them, also in terms of their expectations for everyday life following their discharge.