Project R-15330

The Design of Enriched Environments: Stimulating occupational performance in the transition from rehabilitation to home setting in persons with neurological disorders (Research)

Background: The environment can be an important enabler or barrier in supporting persons with neurological disorders (PwND) to perform daily activities. In the transition from rehabilitation towards homesetting, major changes occur both in the build and social environment in which PwND experiences challenges in performing meaningful activities (occupational performance). Enriched environments could facilitate occupational performance and ultimately quality of life in PwND. Objective: to explore the concept of enriched environment during the transition from a rehabilitation setting to the home environment in PwND i.e. to identify environmental factors that contribute to the challenges faced by PwND in occupational performance during this transition. Methods: Firstly, a rapid review will identify relevant environmental elements within the field of occupational therapy and architecture focussing on PwND. Secondly, a rapid ethnographic study will be performed both in 2 rehabilitation settings and in the home setting of 10 participants to gain in depth insights into the environmental factors that influence occupation performance in the two settings. Results: Results of these 2 studies will be reported in 2 peer reviewed papers. Simultaneously, a FWO mandate proposal will be written. Discussion: The new research collaboration established through this project will pave the way for future studies, potentially leading to breakthroughs at the intersection of architecture and the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological disorders.

01 January 2025 - 31 December 2026