DOI: 10.5176/2425-0112_UPPD17.67
Authors: Dissanayake D.M.K.U., Rajapaksha U.
Abstract: Agitation refers to an abnormal mental state leading to dangerous activities and behaviors. Agitation is one of the most challenging behaviors among mental patients. Lower agitation levels lead to the effectiveness of treatment in hospital procedures, and it is convenient for doctors and medical staff to treat patients. The empirical literature reveals that exposure to daylight can reduce agitation in psychic patients. This research aims to clarify the impact of daylight in the mentally disabled patients in urban settings regarding agitation levels. The research presented here consists of literature review, field work, observations and building performance simulations. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Angoda was selected as the case study. NIMH is the largest mental hospital in Sri Lanka and it is situated in an urban landscape. 50 patients were selected in two buildings. Agitation levels were measured using the ABS (Agitation Behavior Scale), light levels were measured using the Sauter SO 200K Light meter and simulated using the Building Performance tool (BPS Tool) named “Autodesk Ecotect Analysis 2011”. Data collected from the study indicates two assumptions: first, agitation levels of patients and daylight had an inverse relationship. It was an identical relationship within the ward and with two different wards. Secondly, intentionally or not patients prefer to be in rich daylight. Patients exposed to higher daylight display lower agitation levels. Vice versa, patients exposed to lower daylight display slightly higher agitation levels. This assumption has revealed a clear correlation between daylight and agitation level. Results could be used to influence building designs in urban areas to obtain higher daylight levels inside hospital wards to maintain lower agitation levels. Design considerations may include proper design strategies to eliminate the inconvenience of higher daylight. Though the findings proved the hypothesis, this matter could be a part of a more extensive study. To create physical environments that are psychologically supportive and thereby to create health processes further research is needed.
Keywords: Daylight, Psychiatric patients, Agitation, Hospital wards in urban settings.
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