Influence of Hospital Outdoor Space on Physiological Electroencephalography (EEG) Feedback of Staff. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Weiyi; Li, Zao; Xuan, Xiaodong; Lu, Chao; Tang, Qiqiang; Zhou, Shaobo; Li, Qingtao
• Is Part Of: HERD. Volume 15:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 255
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: hospital outdoor space -- hospital staff -- electroencephalography -- physiological feedback -- influence; Health facilities -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Design and construction; Medical care; Periodicals; 725.5
• DOI: 10.1177/19375867211030701
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1937-5867

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the differences and relationships between different outdoor spaces of hospitals on the physiological electroencephalography (EEG) feedback (PEEGF) of staff. Background: Relieving the pressure of hospital staff is essential, and several studies have revealed that even short-term exposure to outdoor space has a decompression effect. Yet, the focus is scarcely centered on the differences and influential relationships between the PEEGF from different outdoor spaces where the staff spend time, particularly in large-scale hospitals in China. Methods: EEG measurement equipment was utilized to obtain the value of β wave (vβw) that represents the stress and anxiety of staff in three different outdoor spaces: open, traffic, and rest. On the basis of EEG data, correlation analysis was conducted in accordance with the proportion of space elements. Results: The proportion of natural elements, such as landscape ( r = −.800** p=.005) and waterscape ( r = −.782* p=.013), were negatively correlated with the vβw produced by staff, while the proportion of hard paving was positive ( r = .817** p=.004) with more vβw produced by staff. In other words, the percentage of landscape and waterscape can reduce stress, while hard paving has the opposite effect. Further, there was a difference in the amount of vβw generated between nurses and administrators in the open space at the entrance of the main building ( p = .043). Conclusions: The present study revealed the influence of different outdoor space elements of the hospital on the physiological feedback of staff, demonstrated the practical necessity of evidence-based design, and proposed relevant optimization suggestions.