Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41264411›Full record

ArticleHERD2026

A Scoping Review of the Impact of Environmental Design on Wayfinding for People With Sensory Impairment.

Parastoo Zali, Lori B McElroy, Mario Ettore Giardini, Kullapat Chaiyawat, Margaret Watson

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in HERD, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Parastoo ZaliDepartment of Architecture, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.ORCID 0009-0005-7529-209X
Lori B McElroyDepartment of Architecture, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-4472-9891
Mario Ettore GiardiniDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-4849-9683
Kullapat ChaiyawatDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-8447-0840
Margaret WatsonStrathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-8198-9273

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

PurposeThis review aimed to identify the environmental factors impacting wayfinding by people with sensory impairment (SI) and the perceived barriers and facilitators of those factors. In addition, the review explored design recommendations to improve the accessibility of built environments for this population.BackgroundWayfinding design is frequently misconceived as the implementation of signage, whereas it also involves spatial planning to facilitate intuitive navigation. Individuals with visual and hearing impairments face multiple accessibility challenges that could be tackled through user-centered design.MethodsA scoping review was conducted using standard methodology. Electronic databases were searched (Medline, Embase, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science) from January 2000 to August 2023. Independent duplicate screening was performed for 10% of sources. The extracted data was analyzed using content analysis. A conceptual framework was developed to map the key environmental factors impacting the individual's wayfinding with SI.ResultsFrom the 3,716 records identified, 41 studies were included. Results were categorized into three domains of architectural, graphical, and sensory elements. Frequently cited architectural barriers included complex layouts, unclear circulation, nonstandard stairs, and the presence of obstacles. Regarding graphical elements, the nonstandard design or placement of signage was common. Key sensory challenges were related to insufficient lighting, low visual contrast, and the inappropriate selection of materials.ConclusionsThis review highlighted multiple environmental factors that influence wayfinding for people with SI. Policymakers, architects, and designers could use these results to eliminate barriers in the built environment and develop evidence-based design interventions addressing the access needs of this population.

Indexed as

Architectural AccessibilityBuilt EnvironmentEnvironment DesignUser-Centered DesignHumansarchitectural accessibilityhearing impairmentspatial navigationvisual impairmentwayfinding

Identifiers

PMID41264411
PMCPMC12988013

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.