Circadian dysrhythmia affects the majority of ICU patients and has far-reaching effects on organ functioning. At the level of the central nervous system, circadian misalignment facilitates executive cognitive dysfunction and the development of ICU delirium. The pathophysiological mechanisms, especially in the cohort of critically ill patients, appear to be complex, multilayered and far from understood.
Read MoreLighting Therapy for ICU Patients /
A fundamental aspect of human physiology is its cyclical nature over a 24-h period, a feature conserved across most life on earth. Evidence is emerging that ICU delirium, a syndrome independently associated with increased mortality and long-term morbidity from critical illness, and affecting up to 80% of critically ill patients, is a clinical manifestation of circadian dysrhythmia. There is increasing research activity investigating the impact of lighting on human health.
Watch the clip to learn more about it - now available with subtitles in English :)
The full 45-minute report is available here for the next 12 months.
Innovative ICU Solutions for Prevention of Delirium & PICS /
Our recently published review discusses innovative concepts and promising approaches in ICU design that may be used to prevent stress and to support the healing process of patients, potentially limiting the impact of delirium and PICS.
Read MoreVITALITY-Study Results to be Presented at ESICM LIVES /
Together with our project partners ART+COM and GRAFT Architects we developed a new intensive care room concept to reduce patients' anxiety, helplessness, and stress. The patient's perceptions and needs were the starting point of this project. In 2013 we finished the renovation of 2 double ICU rooms. We hypothesised that the delirium incidence for patients treated in the modified rooms is significantly lower when compared to patients treated in the standard rooms.
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