Psychological response of children to isolation in a protected environment.

A behavioral observation study of 14 children with cancer treated in a laminar airflow protected environment (PE) unit was done over a period of 2 years. A total of 3629 observations were completed, and results related to perception, sleep, intellectual functioning, physical discomfort, mood, management problems, activity patterns, social-communicative behavior, and sedation are reported. In general, despite evidence from the literature that sensory deprivation and social isolation can cause severe disturbance of the sensory apparatus, no debilitating or long-term psychological effects related to prolonged PE treatment were noted. The differences between PE and deprivation-isolation contexts are discussed, and the need for psychosocial support of these patients is emphasized.