@article{ref1,
title="The impact of a changed environment on arousal levels of patients in a secure extended rehabilitation facility",
journal="Australasian psychiatry",
year="2009",
author="Olver, James and Love, Mervyn and Daniel, Jeffrey and Norman, Trevor and Nicholls, Daniel",
volume="17",
number="3",
pages="207-211",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate the effect of changes of the physical ward environment on levels of arousal and aggression in long-stay patients in a secure extended rehabilitation facility. METHOD: Seclusion episodes, extended seclusion episodes, staff report of aggressive incidents and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) measures of psychopathology were compared in the same group of long-stay rehabilitation patients over a period of 3 months before and 3 months after a move from a temporary, refurbished medical ward to a large, light-filled, purpose-built facility. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were present during both investigation periods. The majority were male (80%) and had a diagnosis of schizophrenia (53%) or schizoaffective disorder (13%). There were statistically significant reductions in the mean number of seclusion episodes, mean number of extended seclusion episodes (> 4 hours) and BPRS total score following the move. There were statistically significant increases in ambient light conditions in the new unit. CONCLUSIONS: The physical environment of long-stay rehabilitation wards may influence aggressive behaviour and arousal in chronically ill patients.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1039-8562",
doi="10.1080/10398560902839473",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10398560902839473"
}