The role of positive distraction in neonatal intensive care unit settings

The role of positive distraction in neonatal intensive care unit settings

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ABSTRACT The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a stressful environment for both families and caregivers. Positive distraction is a means of mitigating stress. A review of research reveals that several factors in the physical environment can contribute to positive distraction, the most prominent of which are nature, art and music. Design interventions that provide positive distraction and can be introduced into the NICU setting are window views of pleasant outside vistas, soothing artwork and the ability to listen to music. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS Access through your institution Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 print issues and online access $259.00 per year only $21.58 per issue Learn more Buy this article * Purchase on SpringerLink * Instant access to full article PDF Buy now Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout ADDITIONAL ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in * Learn about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support SIMILAR CONTENT BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS NAVIGATING THE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE DISTRACTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH TBI: A QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTIVE STUDY Article Open access 23 September 2022 EFFECT OF TETÉ DANCE ON LACTATION SESSION DURATION IN IRRITABLE INFANTS IN PERU ASSESSED IN A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL Article Open access 21 March 2025 THE INFLUENCES OF DAILY EXPERIENCES OF AWE ON STRESS, SOMATIC HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY DURING COVID-19 Article Open access 08 June 2023 REFERENCES * Ulrich RS . Effects of interior design on wellness: theory and recent scientific research. _J Health Care Inter Des_ 1991; 3: 97–109. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Behrman P . Art in hospitals: why is it there and what is it for? _Lancet_ 1997; 350: 584–585. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Friedrich MJ . The arts of healing: how the arts can affect the health of patients. _JAMA_ 1999; 281: 1779–1781. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Ulrich RS . Effects of hospital environments on patient well-being. _Research Report Series_, 9, No. 55, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of Trondheim: Norway, 1986. Google Scholar  * Ulrich R . View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. _Science_ 1984; 224: 420–421. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Ulrich R, Simons R, Losito B, Fiorito E, Miles M, Zelson M . Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. _J Environ Psychol_ 1991; 11: 201–230. Google Scholar  * Ireland SR, Warren YM, Herringer LG . Anxiety and color saturation preference. _Percept Mot Skills_ 1992; 75(2): 545–546. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Lawton P, Nahemow L . Ecology and the aging process. In: Eisdorfer C, Lawton M (eds). _The Psychology of Adult Development and Aging_. American Psychological Association: Washington DC, 1973. Google Scholar  * Zuckerman M, Ulrich RS, McLaughlin J . Sensation seeking and reactions to nature paintings. _Pers Indiv Differ_ 1993; 15(5): 563–576. Google Scholar  * McGhee K, Dzuiban C . Visual preferences of preschool children for abstract and realistic paintings. _Percept Mot Skills_ 1993; 76(1): 155–158. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Shepley M, Fournier M, McDougal KW . _Healthcare Environments for Children and their Families_. Kendall/Hunt: Dubuque, IA, 1998. Google Scholar  * Kellert S, Wilson E . _The Biophilia Hyothesis_. Island Press: Washington, DC, 1993, p 31. Google Scholar  * Kaplan R . The Green Experience. In: Kaplan S, Kaplan R (eds). _Humanscape: Environments for People_. Duxbury Press: North Scituate, MA, 1978. Google Scholar  * Kaplan R, Kaplan S . _The Experience of Nature_. Cambridge University Press: New York, 1989. Google Scholar  * Ulrich R . Visual landscapes and psychological well-being. _Landscape Res_ 1979; 4: 17–23. Google Scholar  * Olds A . Nature: the essential healing environment. _Child Health Des_ 1995; 9: 3–5. Google Scholar  * McKahan D . Healing environments: healing by design – therapeutic environments for healthcare. _J Health Care Des_ 1993; 5: 159–166. CAS  Google Scholar  * Ulrich R, Lundén O . Effects of nature and abstract pictures on patients recovering from heart surgery. Abstract of a poster presentation at the First International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden, June 27–30, 1993. * Lechtzin N, Withers T, Devrotes A, Diette G . Distraction using nature sights and sounds reduces pain during flexible bronchoscopy. (abstract). Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society, May, 2001, http://www.abstracts-on-line.com/abstracts/ATS/search/results.asp?Num=0%2E9397959. * Ovitt MA . The effect of view of nature on attentional fatigue of intensive care unit nurses. In: Nasar J, Grannis P, Hanyu K (eds). _Proceeding of the 26th Annual Conference of the Environmental Design Research Association, Boston, MA_. EDRA: Oklahoma City, OK, 1995, p 161. Google Scholar  * Verderber S . Dimensions of person-window transactions in the hospital environment. _Environ Behav_ 1986; 18: 450–466. Google Scholar  * Freedman DM, Dosemeci M, McGlynn K . Sunlight and mortality from breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, and non-melanoma skin cancer: a composite death certificate based case-control study. _Occup Environ Med_ 2002; 59(4): 257–262. CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar  * Beauchemin KM, Hays P . Dying in the dark: sunshine, gender and outcomes in myocardial infection. _J R Soc Med_ 1998; 91(7): 352–354. CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar  * Burnett J, Hamilton K . Case Study: A Room in the Garden – Nature as a Stimulus to Recovery. In: Hamilton K (ed). _Unit 2000: a Patient Bed for the Future_. Watkins Hamilton Ross: Houston, TX, 1992. Google Scholar  * Carmichael V . Hospitals turn to nature for help in healing. _Calif Hosp_ 1995; 9(2): 12. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Cooper Marcus C, Barnes M . _Gardens in Healthcare Facilities: Uses, Therapeutic Benefits, and Design Recommendations_. The Center for Health Design: Martinez, CA, 1995. Google Scholar  * Sobo EJ, Eng B, Kassity-Krich N . Canine visitation (pet) therapy: pilot data on decreases in child pain perception. _J Holist Nurs_ 2006; 24(1): 51–57. PubMed  Google Scholar  * Colombo G, Buono MD, Smania K, Raviola R, De Leo D . Pet therapy and institutionalized elderly: a study on 144 cognitively unimpaired subjects. _Arch Gerontol Geriatr_ 2006; 42(2): 207–216. PubMed  Google Scholar  * Menegazzi JJ, Paris PM, Kersteen CH, Flynn B, Trautman DE . A randomized, controlled trial of the use of music during laceration repair. _Ann Emerg Med_ 1991; 20(4): 348–350. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Standley JM . Music research in medical/dental treatment: meta-analysis and clinical applications. _J Music Therapy_ 1986; XXII: 56–122. Google Scholar  * Coughlan A . Nursing therapy in an ICU. _Nurs Times_ 1994; 90(17): 35. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Elliott D . A review of nursing strategies to reduce patient anxiety in coronary care. Part 2. _Aust Crit Care_ 1992; 5(3): 10–17. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Henry L . Music therapy: a nursing intervention for the control of pain and anxiety in the ICU: a review of the research literature. _Dimensions Crit Care Nurs_ 1995; 14(6): 295–304. CAS  Google Scholar  * Johnston K, Rohaly-Davis J . An introduction to music therapy: helping the oncology patient in the ICU. _Crit Care Nurs Q_ 1996; 18(4): 54–60. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * O'Sullivan RJ . A musical road to recovery: music in intensive care. _Intens Care Nurs_ 1991; 7(3): 160–163. CAS  Google Scholar  * Routhieaux RL, Tansik DA . The benefits of music in hospital waiting rooms. _Health Care Superv_ 1997; 16(2): 31–40. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Standley JM, Moore RS . Therapeutic effects of music and mother's voice on premature infants. _Pediatr Nurs_ 1995; 21(6): 509–512, 574. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * San Jose Medical Center. _Planetree: Humanizing the Health Care Experience_. San Jose Medical Center: San Jose CA, 1989. Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Center for Health Systems and Design, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA M McCuskey Shepley Authors * M McCuskey Shepley View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to M McCuskey Shepley. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE McCuskey Shepley, M. The role of positive distraction in neonatal intensive care unit settings. _J Perinatol_ 26 (Suppl 3), S34–S37 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211584 Download citation * Published: 28 September 2006 * Issue Date: 01 October 2006 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211584 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get shareable link Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Copy to clipboard Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative KEYWORDS * positive distraction * design guidelines * nature * art * music * NICU

ABSTRACT The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a stressful environment for both families and caregivers. Positive distraction is a means of mitigating stress. A review of research


reveals that several factors in the physical environment can contribute to positive distraction, the most prominent of which are nature, art and music. Design interventions that provide


positive distraction and can be introduced into the NICU setting are window views of pleasant outside vistas, soothing artwork and the ability to listen to music. Access through your


institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS Access through your institution Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 print


issues and online access $259.00 per year only $21.58 per issue Learn more Buy this article * Purchase on SpringerLink * Instant access to full article PDF Buy now Prices may be subject to


local taxes which are calculated during checkout ADDITIONAL ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in * Learn about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support SIMILAR CONTENT


BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS NAVIGATING THE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE DISTRACTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH TBI: A QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTIVE STUDY Article Open access 23 September 2022 EFFECT OF TETÉ DANCE ON


LACTATION SESSION DURATION IN IRRITABLE INFANTS IN PERU ASSESSED IN A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL Article Open access 21 March 2025 THE INFLUENCES OF DAILY EXPERIENCES OF AWE ON STRESS,


SOMATIC HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY DURING COVID-19 Article Open access 08 June 2023 REFERENCES * Ulrich RS . Effects of interior design on wellness: theory and recent


scientific research. _J Health Care Inter Des_ 1991; 3: 97–109. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Behrman P . Art in hospitals: why is it there and what is it for? _Lancet_ 1997; 350: 584–585.


CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Friedrich MJ . The arts of healing: how the arts can affect the health of patients. _JAMA_ 1999; 281: 1779–1781. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Ulrich RS .


Effects of hospital environments on patient well-being. _Research Report Series_, 9, No. 55, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of Trondheim: Norway, 1986. Google


Scholar  * Ulrich R . View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. _Science_ 1984; 224: 420–421. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Ulrich R, Simons R, Losito B, Fiorito E, Miles


M, Zelson M . Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. _J Environ Psychol_ 1991; 11: 201–230. Google Scholar  * Ireland SR, Warren YM, Herringer LG . Anxiety and


color saturation preference. _Percept Mot Skills_ 1992; 75(2): 545–546. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Lawton P, Nahemow L . Ecology and the aging process. In: Eisdorfer C, Lawton M (eds).


_The Psychology of Adult Development and Aging_. American Psychological Association: Washington DC, 1973. Google Scholar  * Zuckerman M, Ulrich RS, McLaughlin J . Sensation seeking and


reactions to nature paintings. _Pers Indiv Differ_ 1993; 15(5): 563–576. Google Scholar  * McGhee K, Dzuiban C . Visual preferences of preschool children for abstract and realistic


paintings. _Percept Mot Skills_ 1993; 76(1): 155–158. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Shepley M, Fournier M, McDougal KW . _Healthcare Environments for Children and their Families_.


Kendall/Hunt: Dubuque, IA, 1998. Google Scholar  * Kellert S, Wilson E . _The Biophilia Hyothesis_. Island Press: Washington, DC, 1993, p 31. Google Scholar  * Kaplan R . The Green


Experience. In: Kaplan S, Kaplan R (eds). _Humanscape: Environments for People_. Duxbury Press: North Scituate, MA, 1978. Google Scholar  * Kaplan R, Kaplan S . _The Experience of Nature_.


Cambridge University Press: New York, 1989. Google Scholar  * Ulrich R . Visual landscapes and psychological well-being. _Landscape Res_ 1979; 4: 17–23. Google Scholar  * Olds A . Nature:


the essential healing environment. _Child Health Des_ 1995; 9: 3–5. Google Scholar  * McKahan D . Healing environments: healing by design – therapeutic environments for healthcare. _J Health


Care Des_ 1993; 5: 159–166. CAS  Google Scholar  * Ulrich R, Lundén O . Effects of nature and abstract pictures on patients recovering from heart surgery. Abstract of a poster presentation


at the First International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Uppsala, Sweden, June 27–30, 1993. * Lechtzin N, Withers T, Devrotes A, Diette G . Distraction using nature sights and sounds


reduces pain during flexible bronchoscopy. (abstract). Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society, May, 2001,


http://www.abstracts-on-line.com/abstracts/ATS/search/results.asp?Num=0%2E9397959. * Ovitt MA . The effect of view of nature on attentional fatigue of intensive care unit nurses. In: Nasar


J, Grannis P, Hanyu K (eds). _Proceeding of the 26th Annual Conference of the Environmental Design Research Association, Boston, MA_. EDRA: Oklahoma City, OK, 1995, p 161. Google Scholar  *


Verderber S . Dimensions of person-window transactions in the hospital environment. _Environ Behav_ 1986; 18: 450–466. Google Scholar  * Freedman DM, Dosemeci M, McGlynn K . Sunlight and


mortality from breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, and non-melanoma skin cancer: a composite death certificate based case-control study. _Occup Environ Med_ 2002; 59(4): 257–262. CAS  PubMed 


PubMed Central  Google Scholar  * Beauchemin KM, Hays P . Dying in the dark: sunshine, gender and outcomes in myocardial infection. _J R Soc Med_ 1998; 91(7): 352–354. CAS  PubMed  PubMed


Central  Google Scholar  * Burnett J, Hamilton K . Case Study: A Room in the Garden – Nature as a Stimulus to Recovery. In: Hamilton K (ed). _Unit 2000: a Patient Bed for the Future_.


Watkins Hamilton Ross: Houston, TX, 1992. Google Scholar  * Carmichael V . Hospitals turn to nature for help in healing. _Calif Hosp_ 1995; 9(2): 12. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Cooper


Marcus C, Barnes M . _Gardens in Healthcare Facilities: Uses, Therapeutic Benefits, and Design Recommendations_. The Center for Health Design: Martinez, CA, 1995. Google Scholar  * Sobo EJ,


Eng B, Kassity-Krich N . Canine visitation (pet) therapy: pilot data on decreases in child pain perception. _J Holist Nurs_ 2006; 24(1): 51–57. PubMed  Google Scholar  * Colombo G, Buono MD,


Smania K, Raviola R, De Leo D . Pet therapy and institutionalized elderly: a study on 144 cognitively unimpaired subjects. _Arch Gerontol Geriatr_ 2006; 42(2): 207–216. PubMed  Google


Scholar  * Menegazzi JJ, Paris PM, Kersteen CH, Flynn B, Trautman DE . A randomized, controlled trial of the use of music during laceration repair. _Ann Emerg Med_ 1991; 20(4): 348–350. CAS


  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Standley JM . Music research in medical/dental treatment: meta-analysis and clinical applications. _J Music Therapy_ 1986; XXII: 56–122. Google Scholar  *


Coughlan A . Nursing therapy in an ICU. _Nurs Times_ 1994; 90(17): 35. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Elliott D . A review of nursing strategies to reduce patient anxiety in coronary care.


Part 2. _Aust Crit Care_ 1992; 5(3): 10–17. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Henry L . Music therapy: a nursing intervention for the control of pain and anxiety in the ICU: a review of the


research literature. _Dimensions Crit Care Nurs_ 1995; 14(6): 295–304. CAS  Google Scholar  * Johnston K, Rohaly-Davis J . An introduction to music therapy: helping the oncology patient in


the ICU. _Crit Care Nurs Q_ 1996; 18(4): 54–60. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * O'Sullivan RJ . A musical road to recovery: music in intensive care. _Intens Care Nurs_ 1991; 7(3):


160–163. CAS  Google Scholar  * Routhieaux RL, Tansik DA . The benefits of music in hospital waiting rooms. _Health Care Superv_ 1997; 16(2): 31–40. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * Standley


JM, Moore RS . Therapeutic effects of music and mother's voice on premature infants. _Pediatr Nurs_ 1995; 21(6): 509–512, 574. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  * San Jose Medical Center.


_Planetree: Humanizing the Health Care Experience_. San Jose Medical Center: San Jose CA, 1989. Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Center for Health Systems


and Design, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA M McCuskey Shepley Authors * M McCuskey Shepley View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google


Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to M McCuskey Shepley. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE McCuskey Shepley, M. The role of


positive distraction in neonatal intensive care unit settings. _J Perinatol_ 26 (Suppl 3), S34–S37 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211584 Download citation * Published: 28 September


2006 * Issue Date: 01 October 2006 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211584 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get shareable


link Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Copy to clipboard Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative KEYWORDS * positive


distraction * design guidelines * nature * art * music * NICU