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Color and newborn intensive care unit design: executive summary

Mardelle McCuskey Shepley1, Rebecca L Ames2, Connie Y Lin2

  • 1Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA. mshepley@cornell.edu.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|June 30, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Color in healthcare design, particularly for newborn intensive care units (NICUs), can impact infant, family, and staff well-being. Strategic color choices may reduce stress and enhance stimulation in NICU environments.

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare Design
  • Environmental Psychology
  • Neonatal Care

Background:

  • Limited research exists on the impact of color in healthcare settings.
  • Color significantly influences human mood, behavior, and physiological responses.
  • Newborn intensive care units (NICUs) are critical environments where patient and family well-being are paramount.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on the impact of color in NICU design on health outcomes.
  • To explore the psychobiological effects of color on infants, families, and staff within NICUs.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for color application in NICU environments.

Main Methods:

  • A structured literature review was conducted, focusing on studies using color in NICUs.
  • The review incorporated broader research on color perception and its effects in general healthcare settings.
  • Literature was analyzed for themes including color preferences, psychobiological impacts, and light interactions.

Main Results:

  • Four studies specifically examined color interventions in NICUs.
  • Research indicated color influences infant and adult responses, preferences, and psychobiological states.
  • The interaction between color and light, and color's impact on adults in general medical settings were also identified.

Conclusions:

  • Color is an important, yet underutilized, element in NICU design.
  • Modifiable and flexible color strategies are crucial for optimizing NICU environments.
  • Specific colors are associated with stress reduction and stimulation, offering potential benefits for NICU occupants.

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