Patients' Self-Reported Recovery After an Environmental Intervention Aimed to Support Patient's Circadian Rhythm in...

Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are among the most vulnerable, and they require support to start their recovery. The design of the patient area in the ICU can play a prominent role in both the quality of care and patients' recovery. The lighting environment has the opportunity to restore and strengthen the natural human circadian rhythm and health.

To evaluate patients' self-reported recovery after being cared for in an ICU room rebuilt according to evidence-based design principles that promote recovery.

An intervention was set up in a two-bed patient room including a cycled lighting system. Self-reported recovery was reported at 6 and 12 months after discharge. Data were analyzed using a 2(mechanically ventilated, nonmechanically ventilated) × 2(intervention room, ordinary room) analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and 2(male, women) × 2(intervention room, ordinary room) ANCOVA.

Data from the different rooms showed no significant main effects for recovery after 6 months, p = .21; however, after 12 months, it become significant, p. < .05. This indicated that patient recovery was positively influenced for patients cared for in the intervention room (M = 8.88, SD = 4.07) compared to the ordinary room (M = 10.90, SD = 4.26). There were no interaction effects for gender or if the patients had been mechanically ventilated either at 6 or 12 months' postdischarge.

A cycled lighting system may improve patient self-reported recovery after ICU care; however, more research on the topic is needed.