Studies in pediatric emergency departments have shown that sensory tools and sensory-adapted approaches are perceived by caregivers as helpful in reducing distress for children with autism during ED visits. Caregivers and clinicians reported improved patient experience when sensory supports were available.

Sensory items such as weighted tools, calming visual supports, and tactile objects have been implemented in pediatric emergency settings to help patients regulate sensory input and remain calm during procedures and assessments.

Research indicates that sensory supports not only benefit patients but also improve interactions between families and clinical staff. Caregivers reported that sensory toolkits facilitated their ED visit, and healthcare providers noted smoother engagement.

Studies on sensory-adapted healthcare spaces show that addressing sensory sensitivities can reduce overstimulation and improve participation and coping during medical visits, including waiting periods.

Multi-sensory environments are increasingly recognized as a non-pharmacological calming intervention within hospital settings. Canadian research in acute psychiatric care has described sensory modulation rooms as an alternative to restrictive practices, including physical restraint and PRN (as-needed) medication.

While outcomes may vary by setting, sensory-adapted environments are positioned as supportive tools that may help reduce behavioural escalation intensity, support patient self-regulation, and decrease reliance on invasive interventions.

For Emergency Departments, integrating multi-sensory tools aligns with restraint-minimization frameworks, patient safety initiatives, and trauma-informed care strategies aimed at reducing the need for pharmacological sedation and physical containment whenever clinically appropriate.

Qualitative research exploring sensory-adapted emergency environments highlights that parents and healthcare professionals value sensory-friendly spaces as part of trauma-informed and patient-centered care.

Emergency Department waiting rooms are often bright, noisy, and unpredictable environments. Research examining sensory-adapted healthcare spaces in Canada highlights that overstimulation in clinical environments can increase anxiety, agitation, and distress—particularly for pediatric patients and individuals with sensory sensitivities.

Providing access to calming lighting features, portable visual focus tools, pediatric sensory stations, and dedicated quiet zones can help reduce environmental triggers while patients and families wait for care. These sensory-informed adaptations align with patient-centred and trauma-informed design principles, supporting improved emotional regulation and family comfort during extended wait times.