Let there be light and darkness: findings from a prestudy concerning cycled light in the intensive care unit environment

Crit Care Nurs Q. 2014 Jul-Sep;37(3):273-98. doi: 10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000031.

Abstract

The present study reports findings concerning light in an intensive care unit setting presented from 3 aspects, giving a wide view. The first part is a systematic review of intervention studies concerning cycled light compared with dim light/noncycled light. The findings showed that cycled light may be beneficial to preterm infant health. Second, a lighting intervention in the intensive care unit is presented, comparing and assessing experience of this lighting environment with that of an ordinary room. Significant differences were shown in hedonic tone, favoring the intervention environment. In the third part, measured illuminance, luminance, and irradiance values achieved in the lighting intervention room and ordinary room lighting are reported.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Critical Illness / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Premature / growth & development
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
  • Lighting / adverse effects
  • Lighting / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Photoperiod*
  • Visitors to Patients / psychology
  • Young Adult