Inspiration for sensory rooms
Regulating arousal through sensory stimulationPeople with sensory disturbances often have an increased need for taking a break, as the everyday challenges easily tip the balance of sensory input. Using a sensory room allows the brain to re-establish the balance and re-find the optimal arousal level.
In a sensory room, arousal can be lowered or heightened depending on the need for regulation. Sensory rooms are widely used in psychiatric departments, residential facilities, and schools, where many students benefit from structured sensory breaks.
When using the sensory rooms to lower the arousal, the stress level in the brain decreases, the body awareness is strengthened, and overall wellbeing improves. This effect is especially noticeable when using Protac’s products, where deep and dynamic pressures from the balls stimulates the tactile and proprioceptive senses, which has a naturally calming effect on the sensory system.
Suggested products: Protac SenSit®, Protac® BallBase (with incontinence cover),
Protac SensCircle®, Protac Ball Blanket® Calm og Protac KneedMe®
Sensory zone as an alternative to a sensory room
If the interior does not allow for a specific sensory room, sensory aids can be integrated into the user’s own room or into shared areas as sensory zones. This solution is also ideal for individuals who, for various reasons, do not have the ability or energy to visit the sensory room.
Designed to always work
For a sensory room to function optimally for both staff and residents, it must be equipped with accessible and intuitive aids that the users cannot use incorrectly, and that all staff can easily apply in practice. We sometimes see that the functional level of the users has not been taken into consideration during design and procurement, which can explain why some rooms are not used as predicted, unfortunately.
The calming helping aids from Protac cannot be used incorrectly or for too long, and they require no electricity or Wi-Fi. The user typically feel the calming effect immediately when sitting in a Protac SenSit® ball chair or lying under a Protac Ball Blanket®, making it natural for them to seek the sensory room again when they need to calm down body and mind.
Wellbeing in a double perspective for both staff and users
We have also seen many examples of staff using sensory rooms to unwind after a workday, experiencing improved wellbeing, reduced stress, and increased job satisfaction. A Danish focused on the use of sensory stimulation in residential settings, showing that the wellbeing of both the staff and the users improved during the project. It also highlighted how closely these two aspects are related and how a positive spiral emerges when wellbeing is viewed from a double perspective.
A sensory stimulating chair with balls in the seat, back and wings surrounding the user. The enveloping feeling calms downs body body and mind of the user.
Protac® BallBase
Mattress pad with sensory stimulating balls helping body and mind to calm down and enhance the overall body perception. The mattress can be used for sleeping but also for therapy and massage.
Protac Ball Blanket®
Sensory stimulating blanket with balls stimulating the deep tactile sense and the proprioceptive sense through dynamic deep touch pressures. The blanket gives an enveloping feeling of the entire body and alleviates e.g. restlessness and anxiety.
Protac SensCircle®
Protac SensCircle® is a sensory-stimulating multifunctional cushion providing peace for both body and mind in both lying and seating positions. The cushion can be shaped and wrapped and create a shelter for the outside world.
Protac KneedMe®
Sensory stimulating knee blanket alleviating motor unrest and restless legs through deep touch pressures from the balls
