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EBD JOURNAL CLUB | Digital Blue Space: Can Sensory Waterscapes Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Healthcare Spaces?


When: December 17, 2024
Time: 11:00am Pacific
Duration: 1 Hour
Price: $65 Individual; $150 Group View; Affiliate Discounts Apply; Free for Affiliate+ Members
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Blue Space: Extracting the Sensory Characteristics of Waterscapes as a Potential Tool for Anxiety Mitigation

Connie Y. Lin, MA; Mardelle McCuskey Shepley, Darch; Anthony Ong, PhD. First published online September 16, 2024 in HERD Health Environments Research & Design Journal. Visit the site

1 EDAC / AIA CEU

 

ARTICLE


Affiliate+ members attend free. Learn more.

 

Our Evidence-Based Design Journal Clubs -- comprised of a 15-minute presentation and 45-minute discussion -- provide a unique and rich opportunity for attendees to interact with published authors of significant, peer-reviewed journal articles.

Upon registration, attendees will receive a link to access the article (a $41.40 value) in their registration confirmation along with the Zoom link to the meeting. Please read the article in advance and submit any questions here for the presenters to consider..

 

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate if there is a physiological stress response to the visual and auditory characteristics of waterscapes.

Background: Biophilic research suggests that the presence of water can reduce stress, reduce blood pressure and increase circulation. However, water has largely been omitted from healthcare design due to concerns of cost, maintenance, waterborne pathogens, and contamination. Existing research has not yet provided a design methodology to incorporate the healing effects of water without the potential diseases, contamination and maintenance issues associated with physical water. Given the current technological capabilities, the isolation of the auditory and visual sensory stimuli has potential to re-introduce the healing benefits of water into healthcare design. 

Methods: Participants were either exposed to a slow-moving or fast-moving waterscape for 20 minutes. Pre- and post-anxiety were measured using the State Trait Anxiety Scale in an online Qualtrics survey (118 participants) and through a salivary cortisol biomarker (in which 26 participants also partook). 

Results: The overall results demonstrate that the utilization of digital blue space was effective in reducing stress. There was no significant difference between the lake or waterfall environment in both salivary cortisol and state-trait anxiety measures. However, it is suggested that the slow and fast-moving waterscapes may be beneficial in different settings. 

Conclusion: Design recommendations are made regarding potential biophilic design in healthcare facilities. The utilization of sensory waterscapes can also provide a cost affordable, non-pharmacological, alternative for anxiety mitigation for patients and staff undergoing high-stress situations.

 

 

Learning Objectives

  • Increase awareness of previous literature on the impact of waterscapes on human outcomes.
  • Explore the relationship between auditory and visual stimuli.
  • Become acquainted with research methods for exploring the impact of waterscapes.
  •  Cite potential design strategies for incorporating biophilic elements in the built environment.

 

Presenting Faculty

Connie Lin, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC, is both a designer and a researcher. Connie holds a master's degree in Design and Health from Cornell University, suppplemented by degrees in Neuroscience Applied to Architectural Design and a Bachelor of Architecture. She is currently a Senior Design Researcher at Corgan where she conducts human experience research out of their Los Angeles studio.

In professional practice, she has 10 years of experience working in architecture and was the recipient of the 2018 AIA Henry Adams Award. As a researcher, she has presented her work at renowned conferences such as the International Venice Biennale, and universities such as USC and CalPoly. She has a deep-seated interest in environmental psychology, mental wellness, and biophilic design and is an advocate for the integration of evidence-based design in the built environment with the aim of improving the quality of care and the human experience.

 

Dr. Mardelle McCuskey Shepley, D.Arch., FAIA is a professor in the Department of Human Centered Design, a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of Architecture and academic director of the Institute for Healthy Futures at Cornell University. A fellow in the AIA and ACHA, she has LEED AP, WELL AP and EDAC credentials. Dr. Shepley has authored/co-authored seven books, the most recent of which is Peace by Design. She has worked full and part-time in professional practice for 25 years.

Host:

Kati Peditto, PhD, EDAC, WELL AP is personally invested in the transformative power of evidence-based design for mental health and well-being. A celebrated expert in health and the built environment, Dr. Peditto earned her PhD in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University before completing postdoctoral work in the Cornell Department of Human-Centered Design.

A New Investigator Award winner from the Center for Health Design, her research has been showcased in the Design Lab with Bon Ku podcast, The Atlantic, and the BBC. Dr. Peditto's journey is a testament to how neurodiversity can shape and enhance our understanding of the spaces we inhabit.

 

Many attendees of The Center for Health Design’s webinars have inquired about IDCEC approval so they can earn ASID, IIDA, and IDS CEU’s. We have looked into this and unfortunately, the cost to upload courses to IDCEC is simply too high at this time. You can still earn credit for attending our webinars by requesting a verification certificate.

As of July 9, 2020, The Center for Health Design requires a CEU management fee for verification certificates for all webinars and EBD Journal Clubs. Please contact Natalie Gonzalez, Project Manager, [email protected]. For further details about how to self-report CEUs to IDCEC, please CLICK HERE.