Loading along the lumbar spine as influence by speed, control, load magnitude, and handle height during pushing
2009
Clinical Biomechanics
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 24
Pages 155-63
Author(s): Marras, W. S., Knapik, G. G., Ferguson, S.
Added September 2014
Life-space mobility of middle-aged and older adults at various stages of usage of power mobility devices
2010
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Journal Article
Author(s): Auger, C., Demers, L., Linas, I. G., Miller, W. C., Jutai, J. W., Noreau, L.
Measuring the use of PMDs involves examining the life-space mobility of their users. The authors refer to literature where life-space mobility is defined as the area within which a person moves over time; it entails characterizing the distance travelled, the frequency of travel, and assistance (if any) availed by older adults.
Added September 2014
Where Active Older Adults Walk: Understanding the Factors Related to Path Choice for Walking Among Active Retirement Community Residents
2007
Environment and Behavior
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 39
Pages 75-105
Author(s): Joseph, A., Zimring, C.
There is little evidence about how path-design characteristics at site and building scale may be related to where active older adults choose to walk. This article describes the findings from an empirical study examining the relationship between physical environmental characteristics of path segments and their use for walking for recreation or instrumental reasons by 114 active residents on three...
Added August 2014
Stress-reducing effects of indoor plants in the built healthcare environment: the mediating role of perceived attractiveness.
2008
Preventive Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 47
Pages 279-283
Author(s): Dijkstra, K., , Pieterse, M.E., Pruyn, A.
Previous research findings have demonstrated that the presence of natural elements such as plants and other interior features can promote patients’ recovery from stress and increase pain tolerance. Research has likewise provided evidence that people have an innate tendency to respond positively to natural elements, and that these can contribute to a more positive impression of healthcare settings. Environments that are perceived to be more attractive also have been shown to have beneficial effects such as reducing stress or improving impressions of quality of care. In reviewing the body of research to date, the authors suggest however, that underlying processes at work here are not yet well understood.
Added August 2014
Evidence-based design for infants and staff in the neonatal intensive care unit
2004
Clinics in Perinatology
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 31
Pages 299–311
Author(s): Shepley, M. M.
There has been a marked increase in evidence-based studies relating to neonatal intensive care units in pediatric healthcare literature. While it is acknowledged that clinical, operational, and social dimensions play the most significant role in healing, the physical environment has also been universally identified as a critical factor. Conscientious architects are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of design decisions on the sensory environment of the neonatal intensive care unit.
Added July 2014
A decade of adult intensive care unit design: a study of the physical design features of the best-practice examples
2006
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 29
Pages 282-311
Author(s): Rashid, M., Abushousheh, A.
This article reports a study of the physical design characteristics of a set of adult intensive care units (ICUs), built between 1993 and 2003. These ICUs were recognized as the best-practice examples by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the American Institute of Architects.
Added July 2014
Perceived hospital environment quality indicators: A study of orthopaedic units
2006
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 26
Pages 321-334
Author(s): Fornara, F., Bonaiuto, M., Bonnes, M.
The field of healthcare design has increasingly recognized the need for building environments that are more ‘‘user-centered,’’ but spatial–physical features have not typically been included in assessment surveys on patient satisfaction.
Added July 2014
Elderhood in Eden
2003
Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 19
Pages 282-290
Author(s): Thomas, W. H., Johansson, C.
Increasing numbers of our elders are entering nursing homes and assisted living facilities every day. The Eden Alternative and the new Green House Project, offer a fundamentally different way of looking at elderhood. The premise: caring for our elders in places that are much more like gardens and much less like institutions results in enhanced quality of life as well as improved clinical outcomes.
Added July 2014
Long-term care physical environments- effect on medication errors
2012
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 25
Pages 431-441
Author(s): Mahmood, A., Chaudhury, H., Gaumont, A., Rust, T.
Medication errors contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality, and are associated with considerable healthcare costs, as well. The human and financial costs following preventable medical errors are high; data in the United States suggest an estimated 44,000 inpatients die each year from preventable medical errors. Nationally, preventable adverse event costs have been estimated at $17 billion.
Added July 2014
Effects of indoor gardening on sleep, agitation, and cognition in dementia patients - A pilot study
2008
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 23
Pages 485-489
Author(s): Lee, Y., Kim, S.
Pharmacological intervention including sedative hypnotics and neuroleptics is a common treatment for sleep and behavioral problems in dementia. However, the high risk of adverse effects of those drugs indicates that non-pharmacological interventions are needed as well. Among those non-pharmacological interventions physical activity is one approach that influences the circadian timing system and was suggested to be effective for sleep and behavioral disturbances of dementia patients. In addition, the positive effects of physical activities, especially exercise, on cognition were suggested.
Added July 2014
Presence and Visibility of Outdoor and Indoor Physical Activity Features and Participation in Physical Activity Among Older Adults in Retirement Communities
2006
Journal of Housing for the Elderly
Journal Article
Issue 3/-4
Volume 19
Pages 141-165
Author(s): Joseph, A., Zimring, C., Harris-Kojetin, L., Kiefer, K.
Regular physical activity contributes to better health among old and very old individuals, allowing them to remain independent for a longer period of time. As with other factors, researchers are increasingly examining the role of the physical setting in encouraging or discouraging physical activity and providing convergent evidence on neighborhood design associated with physical activity by older people.
Added July 2014
Suicide Attempts and Completions in the Emergency Department in Veterans Affairs Hospitals
2012
Emergency Medicine Journal
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 29
Pages 399-403
Author(s): Mills, P. D., Watts, B. V., DeRosier, J. M., Tomolo, A. M., Bagian, J. P.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and approximately 1,500 suicides occur in inpatient hospital units in the United States each year, This study examines the specific environmental factors involved in suicide attempts and completions in an ED in a large, nationally represented hospital sample (VA).
Added May 2014
Research note: Physical Activity in Pediatric Healing Gardens
2013
Landscape and Urban Planning
Journal Article
Issue October
Volume 118
Pages 53-58
Author(s): Pasha, S., Shepley, M., M.
Research has shown that frequency and duration of garden use within urban and hospital settings can be hindered through barriers such as uncomfortable seating and lack of shade. However, once barriers like these are removed, it is unknown if an increase in frequency and duration of garden use has an impact on the level of physical activity during garden visitation.
Added May 2014
Fall and Injury Prevention in Older People Living in Residential Care Facilities: A Cluster Randomized Trial
2002
Annals of Internal Medicine
Journal Article
Issue 10
Volume 136
Pages 733–741
Author(s): Jensen, J., Lundin-Olsson, L., Nyberg, L., Gustafson, Y.
Despite the fact that falls and resulting injuries are common in the residential care population, little is known about how to prevent falls. Research during the past 10 years around fall prevention has shown positive and negative results. Some of these inconsistent results could be explained by differences in target groups, interventions, and outcome measures.
Added May 2014
The healthcare environment through the eyes of a child - Does it soothe or provoke anxiety?
2012
International Journal of Nursing Practice
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 18
Pages 7-11
Author(s): Norton-Westwood, D.
Research has shown that the hospital environment can be distressing to a child. However, introducing design features that spark a child’s imagination can help to reduce anxiety.
Added May 2014
Pictorial Intervention in a Pediatric Hospital Environment: Effects on Parental Affective Perception of the Unit
2012
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 32
Pages 216-224
Author(s): Monti, F., Dellabartola, S., Neri, E., Bozicevic, L., Pocecco, M. , Agostini, F.
Prior research has shown that the physical, emotional, and social health of a parent, during the course of their child’s hospitalization, directly affects the health and well-being of their child.
Added May 2014
BedSAFE. A bed safety project for frail older adults
2003
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 11
Volume 29
Pages 34-42
Author(s): Choi, Y. S., Hoffman, S. B., Powell-Cope, G. , MacClellan, L. , Bero, K.
Bed rails may cause significant injury and death from entrapments. Systematic interventions are needed to guide practices that reduce bed-rail use while addressing related clinical issues.
Added May 2014
Does a wander garden influence inappropriate behaviors in dementia residents?
2008
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 23
Pages 31–45
Author(s): Detweiler, M. B., Murphy, P. F., Myers, L. C., Kim, K. Y.
Most cognitively impaired dementia unit residents are dependent and confined to a safe custodial environment with limited exposure to natural settings. However, the mandatory indoor confinement of dementia residents has been known to increase verbal and physical agitation and use of psychotropic medications. Several studies have reported that having access to unlocked doors leading to a garden or outdoor area may reduce the level of inappropriate behaviors in both residential and long-term dementia care facilities. This study explores the effect of adding a wander garden to an existing dementia unit on inappropriate behaviors of residents.
Added May 2014
Scheduled Medications and Falls in Dementia Patients Utilizing a Wander Garden
2009
American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 24
Pages 322–332
Author(s): Detweiler, M. B., Murphy, P. F., Kim, K. , Myers, L. , Ashai, A.
Among dementia residents, fall risk is often compounded by the side effects of the medications routinely used to treat comorbid medical issues, in addition to treating concurrent depression, agitation, psychosis, anxiety, and insomnia. Of all the types of medications involved in increased fall risk, psychotropic medications have been identified as having the highest risk. Studies suggest that dementia patients using a wander garden may have decreased indices of agitation and reduced use of as-needed (pro re nata [PRN]) medications. In addition, the wander garden has been reported to be a positive environmental intervention to reduce falls in residents with dementia.
Added May 2014
Quality of life of residents with dementia in traditional versus small-scale long-term care settings: a quasi-experimental study
2012
International Journal of Nursing Studies
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 49
Pages 931–940
Author(s): de Rooij, A. H. P. M., Luijkx, K. G., Schaafsma, J., Declercq, A. G., Declercq, A. G., Emmerink, P. M. J., Schols, J. M. G. A.
Due to the rapid increase in the number of people suffering from dementia worldwide, more residential care is greatly needed. Traditionally, residential dementia care has been carried out with a medical- and nursing-based care approach, which has been criticized for focusing mainly on the care aspects. Experts argue that dementia care should also pay attention to creating the environment that offers a better balance between living, well-being, and care. In an effort for better balance, small-scale living facilities for older persons have been developed. However, limited research has been done to identify their impact on quality of life of residents.
Added May 2014
