Bangor - Multi-sensory rooms were conceived in 1975 by researchers in the Netherlands. Now, they are increasingly common in psychiatric settings.

Acadia Hospital has now started using the rooms as their latest tool to help young patients manage emotions.

With video games, colorful bubble tubes, and some comfy seating, the room is made for kids. It's one of two multi-sensory rooms at the Acadia Hosptial in Bangor.

"It's entertaining, it's novel, it's a neat experience, it gives a broader sense of control and people like it," said Dr. David Proffitt, President and CEO of Acadia Hospital.

The rooms contain objects for kids to hold. Some are soft, others smooth, and some rough. Vision, hearing, touch, and smell are all used to help patients overcome behavorial stress.

"This allows them in a different way to kind of get some sensory input that will help them refocus energy from everything that seems overwhelming to the sensation or the vibration of the bubble tube or the colors or the vision that comes on to the screen," said Proffitt.

Acadia has two of these rooms. The first opened about a month ago and the other, about a week ago, thanks to funding from the Children's Miracle Network.

The response has been great so far, from both the children and the staff.

"One of the staff told me that when they took a child in there who had been having a very tough two days, and the child said to them, this is the first time I've felt quiet inside," said Proffitt.

Research shows this type of therapy works on all ages, so the hospital hopes to add multi-sensory rooms for adults in the future.