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Public Art & Health

Supportive design and positive distraction

Research record PAH-054 · Finding, limitations, sources and publication relationships.

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· 1991 · United States

Findings, methods and sources

MechanismsTheoryContext / synthesis

Finding. Ulrich's supportive-design framework proposes that control, social support and positive distraction can support coping in healthcare environments.

Limitation. A theoretical framework. Its relevance to commissioning does not prove that any particular artwork produces the proposed effect.

Ulrich RS. Effects of interior design on wellness: theory and recent scientific research. J Health Care Inter Des. 1991;3:97–109.

Methods and verification

Verification level: Abstract checked

Design
Theory paper
Sample / scope
Not applicable
Setting
Healthcare design
Art form
Several or unspecified

Citation and abstract checked against PubMed, 29 September 2026

Last full editorial audit: 2026-09-09 · Verification policy

Publications and overlap

No confirmed shared-publication match is recorded for this entry in Edition 4.11. Source-by-source and participant-level reconciliation is incomplete; this does not establish an independent study.

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This citation identifies the repository entry. To cite the research finding, use the original publication listed above.

Public Art & Health. Supportive design and positive distraction. Research record PAH-054. Edition 4.11, 29 September 2026. https://www.publicart.health/research/pah-054

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