title: Pilot study of a sensory room in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of sensory rooms (also known as comfort rooms) to reduce seclusion rates has generated a great deal of interest. This study examined the outcomes associated with the introduction of a sensory room in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consumers rated distress and staff rated a variety of disturbed behaviours before and after each use of the room. Items used during each episode were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Use of the room was associated with significant reductions in distress and improvements in a range of disturbed behaviours. Those individuals who used the weighted blanket reported significantly greater reductions in distress and clinician-rated anxiety than those who did not. No changes were noted in rates of seclusion or aggression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sensory room was an effective intervention to ameliorate distress and disturbed behaviour, although this did not translate into reductions in overall rates of seclusion or aggression. Weighted blankets appear to be particularly useful.
authors.affiliation: Missenden Psychiatric Unit, Sydney and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts, Sydney, NSW, Australia. theresa.novak@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scanlan
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCaul
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome