This study examined environmental preferences for adolescent patients in hospital patient rooms and activity rooms to determine age-appropriate healing design elements. The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) concept was adapted to this study as a theoretical framework. In order to develop an age-appropriate healing design, a comprehensive understanding of adolescents‘ cognitive developmental stages and their expectations in hospital settings needs to be recognized. Thirty-two adolescent outpatients aged 15 to 18 participated in the survey. Data collection consisted of three different instruments: Emotional state survey with demographics, Photo analysis with semantic differentials, and environmental preference value survey. Comfort, sadness and stress affected adolescent patients‘ preference responses. Adolescent patients preferred having a home-like environment for their patient rooms due to their needs for comfort and control of privacy. They also preferred having enjoyable and controllable activity rooms that supported peer connection, self-identity, and stress reduction. Environmental values that are important to adolescents were control of privacy, a quiet place to go, a place for activity, and having a controllable outside view.

Of back problems experienced in adolescence, scoliosis is the most frequent (Bradford et al, 1987; Lancard-Dusek et al, 1991). Several studies have been conducted to determine the effect of exercise on back pain. The results indicated that certain regimes are more successful than others. The purpose of this study was to determine wether a corrective exercise programme, which was intensively and aggressively applied, will have a positive effect on adolescent scoliosis subjects. The subjects were divided, randomly, into a control and rehabilitation group. The rehabilitation group followed an eight week programme comprising 24 sessions. Both groups were evaluated at session zero (0) and session twenty four (24). A t-test for homogeneity was done at day zero, between the two groups for the variables V3 to V8. The results indicated homogeneity (P>0-05). A paired t-test was done for group one; indicating that there was a meaningful difference in all the variables; except for standing height (P>0*05). For group two the test indicates a meaningful difference for degrees, standing height and lateral flexion. A t-test at day 24 indicated a meaningful difference for degrees and lateral flexion. This indicates that the group which had followed the programme had improved whilst the control group had deteriorated. AFRIKAANS : Van die rug probleme ondervind by jeugdiges,, is skoliose die mees veelvuldig (Bradford et al, 1987; Lancas-Dusek et al, 1991). Verskeie studies is reeds gedoen wat die effek van oefening op die rug evalueer. Die resultate dui aan dat van die programme meer suksesvol is as ander. Die doel van die studie was om te bepaal of 'n korrektiewe oefenings program, wat intensief en aggresief toegepas is, 'n positiewe effek op geringe ado1essent skoliose individue sal hê. Die individue was willekeurig ingedeel in 'n kontrole en 'n rehabilitasie groep. Die rehabilitasie groep het 'n agt weke program gevolg van 24 sessies. Beide groepe was tydens sessie nul en sessie 24 ge-evalueer. 'n Toets vir homogeniteit was gedoen by dag nul, tussen die twee groepe, vir die veranderlikes V3 tat V8. Die resultate was homogeen (p>0-05). 'n Gepaarde t-toets vir groep een het aangedui dat daar 'n betekenisvolle verskil vir al die verander1ikes was; behalwe staande 1engte (p>0-05). Vir groep twee was daar 'n betekenisvolle verskil in grade, staande lengte en laterale fleksie. 'n T-toets op dag 24 het 'n betekenisvolle verskil vir laterale fleksie aangedui. Dit dui aan dat die groep wat die program gevolg het verbeter het, terwyl die kontrole groep agteruit gegaan het. Copyright / Dissertation (MA (MHS))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Arts, Languages and Human Movement Studies Education / unrestricted