Colour as an agent to manage depression, anxiety and stress levels of mobility impaired individuals in healthcare facilities: Insights from a Rehabilitation Centre at Ragama, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Individuals with physical disabilities, especially with impeded mobility have to deal with an array of physical, social, cultural and economic challenges, consequently leading to psychological imbalances, disorders and more inclined to attempt even suicide. Incorporating disabled-friendly design interventions, facilitating optimal healing in their healthcare facilities, is crucial to overcome most of these challenges and ensure their psychological well-being. Within this backdrop, this investigation focused on the impact of interior colours in health care facilities to manage depression, anxiety, and stress levels of disabled individuals. The investigation was executed with reference to wall colour of bedrooms of patients with limb deformities of a selected rehabilitation centre, at Ragama. Three hues (blue, yellow, and green) were tested by installing colour panels on the sidewall of the beds, allowing the patients to be exposed to each colour for three consecutive days. DASS-21 self-report scale was adopted to measure depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the patient. Green colour was found to be significantly supportive in inducing favourable impacts to manage depression, anxiety, and stress levels of patients over blue and yellow. Extending this study to test different tints, shades, and intensities of green colour, incorporating large samples with long-term exposure in an array of health care facilities, is recommended.