View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery

1984/04/27 by Roger S. Ulrich · 10 citations
Environmental Science · Psychology · Health Professions · #Urban Green Space and Health #Music Therapy and Health #Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units

paper · doi:10.1126/science.6143402

openalex publication_date 1984/04/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

Records on recovery after cholecystectomy of patients in a suburban Pennsylvania hospital between 1972 and 1981 were examined to determine whether assignment to a room with a window view of a natural setting might have restorative influences. Twenty-three surgical patients assigned to rooms with windows looking out on a natural scene had shorter postoperative hospital stays, received fewer negative evaluative comments in nurses' notes, and took fewer potent analgesics than 23 matched patients in similar rooms with windows facing a brick building wall.

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