Sensory Room vs Seclusion Rooms for Occupational Therapy

A sensory room is a specially designed space that is used to provide a variety of sensory experiences to individuals who may benefit from their use. The purpose of a sensory room is to promote relaxation, self-regulation and overall well-being for anyone, not just those who may be agitated or dysregulated. These rooms typically includes a variety of sensory tools and equipment such as lighting, sound, and textures, and can be used by people of all ages and abilities. There may be additional sensory activities, items, or furniture inside.

A seclusion room, on the other hand, is a room that is used to separate an individual from others in a controlled environment. Seclusion rooms are typically used in healthcare settings such as hospitals or mental health facilities, and are used as a last resort for managing aggressive or self-destructive behavior. Seclusion rooms are typically designed to prevent individuals from harming themselves or others, e.g., suicide, and are typically bare and not designed for comfort or sensory stimulation.

Note that sensory rooms and seclusion rooms are not the same thing, and should not be used interchangeably. Sensory rooms are designed to provide a positive and therapeutic environment for individuals, while seclusion rooms are designed for safety and control. It’s possible that sensory rooms can be also designed with more safety in mind as well.

The use of seclusion rooms has been criticized for being harmful and traumatizing, particularly for individuals with mental health conditions. The use of seclusion rooms is a controversial practice, and many professional organizations and advocacy groups have called for stricter regulations and guidelines for the use of seclusion rooms, as well as alternatives to seclusion. Each facility and cultural practices may be different.^[1]Björkdahl, A., Perseius, K. I., Samuelsson, M., & Lindberg, M. H. (2016). Sensory rooms in psychiatric inpatient care: Staff experiences. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 25(5), … Reference List

Sensory rooms can be used as an alternative to seclusion rooms in certain situations (not all), as they can provide a safe and calming environment for individuals who may be experiencing distress or agitation. Sensory rooms can help individuals to self-regulate their emotions and behaviors, reducing the need for restrictive interventions such as seclusion.

Many facilities have started to incorporate sensory rooms as part of their overall approach to care, recognizing the many benefits that sensory rooms can offer. These rooms can be used for a variety of populations, including individuals with autism, dementia, some mental health conditions, and developmental disabilities. Sensory rooms can also be used for people with physical disabilities as well, who may have difficulty with certain sensory input or need to be in a more controlled environment. An example is concussive disorder where these individuals may find stimuli such as lighting to be too much for them.

One study studied the use of sensory rooms (comfort rooms) to reduce seclusion rates. Participants rated their own distress and staff rated the behaviors of patients after each use of the room. Sensory rooms were found to be associated with significant reductions in distress and improvements in a range of disturbed behaviours. The authors concluded that 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.^[2]Novak, T., Scanlan, J., McCaul, D., MacDonald, N., & Clarke, T. (2012). Pilot study of a sensory room in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. Australasian Psychiatry, 20(5), 401-406.

Another study reviewed the use of a sensory room in an ICU. Staff and patients viewed the sensory room as a positive therapeutic intervention and that using the sensory room had improved staff-patient communication and patients’ overall experience of the ICU. These authors concluded that use of a sensory room improved both staff and patients’ experience of the ICU and should be an intervention considered by other ICUs and inpatient psychiatric settings.^[3]Smith, S., & Jones, J. (2014). Use of a sensory room on an intensive care unit. Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services, 52(5), 22-30.

In addition, sensory rooms can also be used for people without any specific conditions, as a way to promote relaxation, stress reduction and overall well-being. In public, many spas, yoga studios and gyms have sensory rooms that customers can use as part of their overall experience. Here is a post of an example of a sensory room at an aquarium in Georgia.

In additional to occupational therapists, the team should consider the use of sensory rooms as a viable alternative to seclusion in certain situations, and to work closely with individuals and their families to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and preferences. Also, the design, equipment, and use of sensory rooms should be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the individual or group using the room where possible. A trained professional, such as an occupational therapist, should be involved in the design and implementation of a sensory room to ensure that it is safe and effective. This is another area of opportunity outside of traditional practice for OT in consultation.