Biophilic Design for Mental Health in Healthcare Workers

Recruiting at -1 trial locations

Overseen by Mar Cortes, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

No Placebo Group

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing Recharge Rooms, which are special spaces designed to reduce stress and anxiety using calming sights, sounds, and smells inspired by nature. The study focuses on healthcare workers who often face high stress levels. The goal is to see if spending time in these rooms can improve their mental and physical health.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the idea that Biophilic Design for Mental Health in Healthcare Workers is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements into indoor spaces, can help reduce stress and anxiety. For example, a study using virtual reality found that people in biophilic environments had better stress and anxiety recovery compared to those in non-biophilic settings. This suggests that biophilic design can be an effective way to support mental health. Additionally, biophilic design has been shown to improve satisfaction in healthcare settings and can be combined with other therapies like light therapy and mindfulness to enhance its benefits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for biophilic design treatments?

The available research suggests that biophilic design interventions are safe and feasible. Studies have shown that these interventions can reduce stress, enhance well-being, and improve workplace satisfaction without any reported adverse effects. In a pilot study with oncology patients, biophilic environments were found to be enjoyable and reduced distress levels, indicating safety and potential benefits as a complementary therapy. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Is the treatment Bio-Experiential Spaces a promising treatment for mental health in healthcare workers?

Yes, Bio-Experiential Spaces, like Recharge Rooms, are promising for mental health in healthcare workers. They significantly reduce stress and are highly enjoyable, making them useful in high-stress healthcare environments. ^{4 6 8 9 10}

Research Team

Mar Cortes, MD

Principal Investigator

Icahn School of Medicine

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthcare workers over the age of 18 at Mount Sinai Hospital or Icahn School of Medicine. It's designed to help those experiencing trauma, anxiety, or stress related to their job.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18 years old.

Current healthcare employee of Mount Sinai Hospital or the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Exclusion Criteria

I am younger than 18 years old.

Not employed by Mount Sinai or Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Bio-Experiential Spaces (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests 'Recharge Rooms' with biophilic design—spaces that use nature-inspired elements like plant imitations, natural landscape projections, tailored lighting, nature sounds with music, and calming scents—to improve mental health.

Participant Groups

Group I: Biophilic experience Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Healthcare workers will experience the biophilic-designed room

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Lead Sponsor

Trials

933

Recruited

579,000+

Findings from Research

The study emphasizes the importance of therapeutic environments in healthcare, particularly for cancer patients, highlighting that biophilic design—incorporating nature into healthcare settings—can significantly enhance health outcomes.

A revised biophilic design framework was developed based on user experiences and expert interviews, which ranks critical design parameters tailored to specific healthcare contexts, aiming to improve the effectiveness of future healthcare facility designs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Human-centred health-care environments: a new framework for biophilic design. Tekin, BH., Urbano Gutiérrez, R.[2023]

The systematic review of nine studies highlights key biophilic design parameters that enhance the well-being of hospital users, including fresh air, daylight, and comfort for outpatients, while inpatients prioritize relaxation and security.

The findings provide a ranked list of critical biophilic design features that can inform future hospital designs, aiming to improve both patient and staff experiences in clinical environments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework of Biophilic Design Parameters in Clinical Environments. Tekin, BH., Corcoran, R., Gutiérrez, RU.[2022]

In a study involving 76 rehabilitation patients, those in rooms with biophilic nature imagery rated their environment significantly better than those in standard rooms, indicating a positive impact on their hospital experience.

While the presence of nature imagery improved room ratings and patient satisfaction, other aspects like quality of sleep and overall care showed trends towards improvement but were not statistically significant.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Biophilic Nature Imagery on Indexes of Satisfaction in Medically Complex Physical Rehabilitation Patients: An Exploratory Study. Wichrowski, MJ., Corcoran, JR., Haas, F., et al.[2022]

Biophilic interior design can significantly enhance the health of individuals with chronic diseases by integrating elements like light therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation opportunities into residential spaces.

These design interventions have been shown to reduce migraine headaches and chronic pain, as well as improve symptoms of depression, highlighting the potential for therapeutic environments in various settings, including homes and healthcare facilities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthy Dwelling: Design of Biophilic Interior Environments Fostering Self-Care Practices for People Living with Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Depression. Huntsman, DD., Bulaj, G.[2022]

A study with 100 participants using virtual reality showed that biophilic indoor environments significantly improve recovery from stress and anxiety compared to non-biophilic environments, with physiological benefits observed within the first four minutes of exposure.

Different types of biophilic design elements had varying effects on stress recovery, suggesting that specific natural features can be strategically used to enhance therapeutic environments, such as in hospitals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of biophilic indoor environment on stress and anxiety recovery: A between-subjects experiment in virtual reality. Yin, J., Yuan, J., Arfaei, N., et al.[2020]

The initial phase of a longitudinal study in Australia shows that biophilic design elements, such as natural lighting and plants, positively impact worker productivity and well-being within the first three months.

The ongoing two-year study aims to further explore the cognitive, social, psychological, and physical health benefits of biophilic design in the workplace, indicating a commitment to understanding how these environments can enhance overall worker performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are biophilic-designed site office buildings linked to health benefits and high performing occupants? Gray, T., Birrell, C.[2018]

A study involving 57 employees demonstrated that designing workplaces with a biophilic approach, which incorporates natural elements, can enhance employee well-being and reduce stress.

The research included a participatory design process where employees' needs were assessed and addressed, leading to improved perceptions of workplace quality after the renovation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Participatory Interior Design Approach for a Restorative Work Environment: A Research-Intervention. Pasini, M., Brondino, M., Trombin, R., et al.[2021]

In a pilot study involving 33 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, biophilic Green Therapy and Virtual Reality environments did not show statistically significant reductions in pain or distress compared to a control room, but patients found these environments more enjoyable.

Despite the lack of significant statistical differences in physiological measures, the study suggests that biophilic interventions are safe, feasible, and may enhance the overall experience of oncology patients during treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of virtual reality v. biophilic environments on pain and distress in oncology patients: a case-crossover pilot study. Ashley Verzwyvelt, L., McNamara, A., Xu, X., et al.[2022]

A nature-inspired relaxation space, called the Recharge Room, significantly reduced stress levels among healthcare workers, with self-reported stress dropping from an average of 4.58/6 to 1.85/6 after just 15 minutes (p < 0.001).

Out of 496 users who completed a survey, the Recharge Room received an impressive Net Promoter Score of 99.3%, indicating that users found the experience highly enjoyable and beneficial for stress relief.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multisensory, Nature-Inspired Recharge Rooms Yield Short-Term Reductions in Perceived Stress Among Frontline Healthcare Workers. Putrino, D., Ripp, J., Herrera, JE., et al.[2020]

Biophilic design in hospitals, which enhances the connection between buildings and nature, is crucial for improving the quality of environments and the health of users, especially highlighted by the increased focus on well-being since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite its importance, many hospitals, including those in China, lack effective biophilic design, and there is a need for standardized approaches to integrate these natural features into healthcare spaces to meet both functional and user-specific demands.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biophilic Design as an Important Bridge for Sustainable Interaction between Humans and the Environment: Based on Practice in Chinese Healthcare Space. Zhao, Y., Zhan, Q., Xu, T.[2022]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Human-centred health-care environments: a new framework for biophilic design. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework of Biophilic Design Parameters in Clinical Environments. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Biophilic Nature Imagery on Indexes of Satisfaction in Medically Complex Physical Rehabilitation Patients: An Exploratory Study. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Healthy Dwelling: Design of Biophilic Interior Environments Fostering Self-Care Practices for People Living with Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Depression. [2022]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of biophilic indoor environment on stress and anxiety recovery: A between-subjects experiment in virtual reality. [2020]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are biophilic-designed site office buildings linked to health benefits and high performing occupants? [2018]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Participatory Interior Design Approach for a Restorative Work Environment: A Research-Intervention. [2021]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of virtual reality v. biophilic environments on pain and distress in oncology patients: a case-crossover pilot study. [2022]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multisensory, Nature-Inspired Recharge Rooms Yield Short-Term Reductions in Perceived Stress Among Frontline Healthcare Workers. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biophilic Design as an Important Bridge for Sustainable Interaction between Humans and the Environment: Based on Practice in Chinese Healthcare Space. [2022]