Exploration of hospital room design on emotions, activity, and social connections after stroke: a qualitative study of patient experiences using virtual reality

Stroke patients are rarely asked about their responses to specific design attributes. Virtual reality (VR) offers a promising tool to explore how hospital environments are experienced after stroke. To gather perspectives and emotional responses regarding physical design attributes of hospital patient rooms after stroke. We developed a ‘VR experience’ for adult stroke patients in both single and multi-patient room designs, with four additional physical design attributes: <i>spaciousness</i>, <i>greenery outlook</i>, <i>night-time noise</i>, and <i>design attributes for social connectivity e.g. furnishings</i>. A qualitative study approach involved semi-structured interviewing, that followed immersion in the VR patient room designs. Qualitative descriptive and thematic analysis was done. (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, Trial Id: ACTRN12620000375954). Thirty-five stroke patients participated (April 2019–March 2020). Interviews yielded three themes and ten sub-themes. Themes were: (1) action and care supported by design and layout, such as ease of movement; (2) connection to people, nature, and place, emphasising social interaction and greenery; and (3) control of the environment, involving attributes like space. Findings showed how physical design attributes enhance movement accessibility, promote social interaction, or provide sensory comfort. Using VR allowed rich, detailed feedback from patients, offering valuable insights for designing hospital environments. Placement of recognisable furnishings, configuration of spaces in patient rooms, and quiet private spaces are perceived as supporting social interactions and movement.Positive distractors of greenery exposure, outdoor views, and human-based sounds support restorative opportunities from clinical care tasks.Noise, intrusive presence of other people in own space, and difficult access to technology/personal effects contribute to discomfort.Addressing emotions and social connectivity through environment design might prime social and physical activity for optimal brain recovery and repair. Placement of recognisable furnishings, configuration of spaces in patient rooms, and quiet private spaces are perceived as supporting social interactions and movement. Positive distractors of greenery exposure, outdoor views, and human-based sounds support restorative opportunities from clinical care tasks. Noise, intrusive presence of other people in own space, and difficult access to technology/personal effects contribute to discomfort. Addressing emotions and social connectivity through environment design might prime social and physical activity for optimal brain recovery and repair.