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[Exploring the Effects of Cycled Lighting on Sleep Patterns in Premature Infants During Hospitalization]

Jia-Hua Li1, Hsiang-Yun Lan2, Jen-Jiuan Liaw2

  • 1Department of Nursing, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.

Hu Li Za Zhi the Journal of Nursing
|November 24, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cyclic lighting significantly improved sleep duration and efficiency in premature infants hospitalized in the NICU. This intervention enhances sleep quality, supporting infant development and care.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Sleep science
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Sleep is crucial for brain maturation and development, especially in premature infants.
  • Sleep is often disturbed in premature infants during NICU hospitalization.
  • Interventions to improve sleep quality in this population are under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of cyclic light exposure on the sleep quality of hospitalized premature infants.
  • To assess if controlled lighting conditions can mitigate sleep disturbances in vulnerable newborns.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial with 68 premature infants (28-36 weeks gestation) was conducted.
  • The intervention group received cyclic lighting from 32 weeks gestation; the control group received standard care.
  • Sleep was measured using actigraphy at pre-test and post-test, with data analyzed using generalized estimating equations.

Main Results:

  • The cyclic lighting group showed a significantly greater increase in total nighttime sleep duration compared to the control group (p = .031).
  • Nighttime sleep efficiency improved significantly more in the intervention group (8.92%, p = .032) than in the control group.
  • These findings indicate a positive impact of cyclic lighting on key sleep parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Cyclic lighting effectively enhances total nighttime sleep duration and sleep efficiency in premature infants.
  • This intervention improves sleep quality during hospitalization, supporting infant development.
  • Healthcare providers are encouraged to implement cyclic lighting to optimize sleep care for hospitalized premature infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
cycled lightpremature infantssleep quality

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