Too noisy, too dark: sleep environment at a typical stroke unit.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Environmental Health
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Sleep-wake disorders are prevalent post-stroke, adversely affecting patient outcomes.
• Environmental factors like noise and light significantly disrupt sleep quality and circadian rhythms in stroke patients.
• Hospital environments, particularly stroke units, require assessment for factors impacting sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify noise and light exposure in a hospital stroke unit.
• To evaluate compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommended environmental guidelines for patient care.
• To identify specific environmental stressors affecting sleep in stroke patients.

Main Methods:

• Noise levels were measured using equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (LAeq).
• Light exposure was assessed using melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance.
• Measurements were conducted in a stroke unit between July and August 2021.

Main Results:

• WHO-recommended noise levels were consistently exceeded, with door beds being significantly noisier than window beds.
• Minimal daytime illuminance levels were rarely achieved, especially at door beds.
• Optimal light levels were observed in the evenings, not during the morning hours crucial for circadian alignment.

Conclusions:

• The monitored stroke unit environment is suboptimal for patient sleep due to excessive noise and insufficient light.
• These environmental conditions may negatively influence sleep-wake regulation and overall stroke recovery.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore interventions to improve the hospital environment for stroke patients.