Summary of the Best Evidence for Non‐Pharmacological Management of Sleep Disturbances in Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Zhang Meijie , Yang Fei , Wang Chenwei , Xiu Meng , Zhang Weiying 
Published: January 2025

Aim

To retrieve, evaluate and summarise the best evidence for non‐pharmacological management of sleep disturbances in ICU patients, and to provide basis for clinical nursing practice.

Design

This study was an evidence summary followed by the evidence summary reporting standard of Fudan University Center for Evidence‐based Nursing.

Methods

All evidence on non‐pharmacological management of sleep disturbances in ICU patients from both domestic and international databases and relevant websites was systematically searched, including guidelines, expert consensuses, best practice, clinical decision‐making, evidence summaries and systematic review.

Data Sources

UpToDate, BMJ Best Practice, Joanna Briggs Institute, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, National Guideline Clearinghouse, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Yi Maitong Guidelines Network, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Canadian Medical Association: Clinical Practice Guideline, Guidelines International Network, WHO, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang database, VIP database, SinoMed, The American Psychological Association, European Sleep Research Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine and National Sleep Foundation were searched from the establishment of the databases to June 1, 2024.

Results

A total of 18 pieces of literature were included, involving 4 guidelines, 2 expert consensuses, 1 best practice and 11 systematic reviews. 25 pieces of evidence covering 4 categories of risk factors, sleep monitoring, non‐pharmaceutical intervention, education and training were summarised.

Conclusion

This study summarises the best evidence for non‐pharmacological management of sleep disturbances in ICU patients. In clinical application, medical staff should make professional judgements and fully combine clinical situations and patient preferences to select evidence, laying a theoretical foundation for later empirical research to reduce the incidence of sleep disturbances in ICU patients and improve the sleep quality of critically ill patients.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

Medical staff can refer to the best evidence to provide reasonable non‐pharmacological management plans for sleep disturbances in ICU patients, improving their sleep quality and life satisfaction.

Impact

The management of sleep disturbances in critically ill patients has not received sufficient attention and standardisation. This study summarises 25 pieces of the best evidence for non‐pharmacological management of sleep disturbances in critically ill patients. Accurate and standardised evaluation and monitoring are the foundation of sleep management for ICU patients. This summary of evidence can help ICU nurses enhance their clinical practice.

Reporting Method

This evidence summary followed the evidence summary reporting specifications of Fudan University Center for Evidence‐based Nursing, which were based on the methodological process for the summary of the evidence produced by the Joanna Briggs Institute. This study was based on the evidence summary reporting specifications of the Fudan University Center for the Evidence‐based Nursing; the registration number is ‘ES20231708’.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.