THE HEALING IMPACT OF WALL MURALS IN MEDICAL AND HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

APRIL 7, 2023| Max Tabaeian

We have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries about wall murals in the medical facilities from San Diego’s medical and dental offices. In a previous post, we discussed how environmental graphics aesthetics help reduce stress. Recently, we received a phone call from a medical facility employee to reprint acrylic photo art prints that have been on the wall in their imaging room art.

Research over the years continues to build up the evidence for something that health care providers and their patients intuitively knew — a person’s physical environment affects their well being and can either be helpful or detrimental to their recovery. Post-surgery healing in a room that feels sterile devoid of  bright attractive decor has vastly different results that greenery and art.

Wall murals are a powerful means of enhancing a space to make it inspiring and comfortable for patients. In this post, we look at the healing impact that wall mural have when installed in hospitals, medical offices, rehabilitation facilities.

THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT IN HEALING

The incorporation of art into medical space goes way back to medieval times when local churches ran hospitals. Which explains that much of the art at the time was religious in nature.

Today, the popularity of artwork in health care facilities — including hospitals, specialized treatment centers, rehabilitation and addiction recovery centers  — endures. And today, we have scientific evidence to demonstrate why health care wall murals and other types of art have a healing effect.

When it comes to healing, the mind and body are inextricably intertwined. Studies have shown a direct link between the content of images a person sees and their brain’s reaction to pain, stress and anxiety. A landmark 2006 study found that patients recovering from open-heart surgery who were exposed to a nature image had better outcomes than those who viewed an abstract image or no image at all concluding that arts have ‘a clear contribution to make and offer major opportunities in the delivery of better health, wellbeing and improved experience for patients, service users and staff alike’ .

Studies continue to demonstrate that art is a positive distraction that lowers anxiety for patients. A 2016 study asked patients to describe their idea of a healing environment. The physical attributes of their healing space and the feelings it evoked were some of the most prominent themes that emerged from the participants’ descriptions.

A 2017 study provided additional insight into why artwork promotes healing. The study concluded that exposure to artwork improves patient satisfaction as it promotes socialization and contributes to an atmosphere of safety, connectedness to patients identity and the outside world.

Being surrounded by art in a health care setting helps improve patients recovery and has greater overall patient satisfaction via the following mechanisms:

• A faster and more positive healing experience
• A stronger connection with others and the outside world
• Less stress and anxiety and lower levels of pain

WHY CHOOSE WALL MURALS FOR YOUR HEALTH CARE FACILITY

Evidence abounds showing that art can improve the healing experience for patients, but health care facilities may be left wondering what types of artwork to install.  Wall murals are one of the best art forms to consider because they can truly immersive and transformational. Considered to be a type of environmental graphics, wall murals are a part of and strongly influence the environment where they are installed.   An acrylic print, canvas or poster on the wall can help decorate a room, but a mural can give the whole room a different feel.

Hospitals and other health care facilities can often feel sterile and clinical to patients, which may increase their feelings of discomfort and uneasiness. A wall mural can make the whole space feel more comforting and even uplifting. Imagine the difference between a plain, white wall and a wall that’s covered in a beautiful artistic design. Some wall murals may even include inspirational quotes.

Wall murals are also large enough displays that they can perform multiple functions at once. For example, in addition to being decorative, hospital wall murals can serve as wayfinding devices that help visitors distinguish between departments more easily. They can also incorporate your branding to enhance the sense of place and connection to your organization’s identity.

TIPS FOR CREATING WALL MURALS THAT PROMOTE HEALING

In addition to following some general tips for designing murals, health care organizations should also consider the following tips for creating murals that improve the patient experience:

1. Choose representational art designs: Some research indicates that patients prefer representational art, which reflects realistic images, over abstract art. In a 2012 study, patients were more likely to feel negative emotions when they viewed images that were ambiguous and unfamiliar, lacked realism and contained sharp contours. This doesn’t mean you can’t include elements into your artwork that are open to interpretation, but health care facilities are generally not the best places to display edgy abstract art. Remember, the artwork should comfort rather than challenge the viewer in this context.
2. Incorporate natural elements into your design: Scientific research supports the healing powers of nature, but even more amazing is the fact that you can benefit from nature without actually being outside. In one study, students who looked at a flowering green roof in the middle of a task performed better than students who paused to look at a concrete rooftop. Patients tend to enjoy natural landscapes and imagery in their artwork, and it may even help them heal more effectively. So try to include design elements that are explicitly or implicitly reminiscent of nature.
3. Choose positive imagery: To promote healing, you should avoid images that can induce negative feelings. This includes fearful or angry faces. If you include people in your mural designs, make sure they display positive emotions. You may also want to emphasize colors in your design that people are more likely to describe as happy or serene, such as blue, green, purple and yellow. Cheerful wall murals can go a long way toward making the whole space feel more uplifting to patients and their families, as well as to staff.
4. Place murals throughout your facility: Since you can create custom wall murals in nearly any size, you can use murals to brighten up spaces throughout your health care facility. A visually appealing mural in the lobby or waiting room can help set people at ease as soon as they enter your facility. Smaller murals in patient rooms can improve the space for recovering patients. You can also use other graphic displays, like elevator wraps and window graphics, throughout your facility to contribute to an attractive and inviting environment.

CREATE A HEALING ENVIRONMENT WITH CUSTOM PRINTED MURALS FROM SPEEDPRO

There’s no need to commission artists to paint murals throughout your facility that you’ll later need to paint over when you’re ready for a change. Printed wall murals allow you to create custom imagery and apply it just like a giant decal to your wall. When it comes to large-format graphics like wall murals, SpeedPro leads the way in experience and quality.

If you want to create custom wall murals that promote healing, reach out to SpeedPro San Diego. We will be happy to assist you in creating wall murals according to your custom sizing, material choice and design. It’s time to make your facility a better place to work, to visit and — most importantly — to heal.