Effect of using eye masks and earplugs in preventing delirium in intensive care patients: A single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial

The effect of nonpharmacological interventions applied by nurses to intensive care patients on the duration of delirium: a meta-analysis study

OBJECTIVE

It was aimed to determine the effect level of nonpharmacological methods applied by nurses to patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit on the duration of delirium.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this study, relevant studies were accessed by searching in July-October 2022. After the necessary exclusions were made, 14 studies were included in the study. The total sample size of the studies was 1123.

RESULTS

According to the results, nonpharmacological interventions applied by nurses to intensive care patients were found to reduce the duration of delirium (SMD: - 0.625, 95% CI: - 1.1040-0.210; Z =  - 2.950, p = 0.003, I2 = 93.119%). The country of the study (SMD: - 0.047, p = 0.001) and the types of nonpharmacological interventions used (SMD: - 0.062, p = 0.000) influenced the effect size of modulators on the duration of delirium in ICU patients.

CONCLUSION

Nonpharmacological interventions applied by nurses, who have significant responsibilities in the protection and promotion of health, were found to reduce the duration of delirium in intensive care patients. This study shows that nurses, one of the main components of the multidisciplinary team in intensive care, are successful when they apply nonpharmacological interventions well.

Different nursing interventions on sleep quality among critically ill patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Critically ill patients in intensive care often struggle with disrupted sleep, a prevalent issue in this population. However, the question of which non-pharmacological intervention is most effective in enhancing sleep quality remains unanswered. This study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate and compare the efficacy of various non-pharmacological interventions aimed at improving sleep quality among critically ill individuals.

METHODS

We conducted a search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) without language restrictions to identify articles published until July 15, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated various nursing interventions designed to improve sleep quality in critically ill patients were included in this network meta-analysis. All analyses were performed using R software (version 3.4.3) with the "gemtc" package.

RESULTS

A total of 2036 patients from 31 RCTs were included in the network meta-analysis, involving 11 different nursing interventions (routine care, relaxation combined with imagery (RI), nursel, music + earplugs + eye masks, music, eye masks, earplugs + eye masks, earplugs, aromatherapy, Warm footbath combined with acupoint exercise (WFA), Virtual reality meditation (VR)). Eye masks and earplugs + eye masks were associated with improved sleep quality compared to routine care intervention (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, eye masks and earplugs + eye masks stand out as the most effective interventions for enhancing sleep quality in critically ill patients. Therefore, critical care nurses should consider incorporating the use of eye masks alone or combining music with eye masks into the sleep care regimen for critically ill patients.