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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Sep 1;49(9):e822-e832.
doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005031.

The Impact of Earplugs and Eye Masks on Sleep Quality in Surgical ICU Patients at Risk for Frequent Awakenings

Osamudiamen O Obanor  1 , Mandy M McBroom  1 , Jennifer M Elia  2 , Farzin Ahmed  1 , Jun D Sasaki  1 , Kelly M Murphy  3 , Shannon Chalk  3 , Gloria A Menard  3 , Nadia V Pratt  3 , Aardhra M Venkatachalam  4 , Bryan T Romito  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The Impact of Earplugs and Eye Masks on Sleep Quality in Surgical ICU Patients at Risk for Frequent Awakenings

Osamudiamen O Obanor et al. Crit Care Med. .

Abstract

Objectives: Sleep disturbances may contribute to the development of delirium, prolonged ICU stay, and increased mortality. There is conflicting data on the effectiveness of earplugs and eye masks for sleep promotion in the ICU. This study evaluates the impact of earplugs and eye masks on sleep quality in postoperative surgical ICU patients at risk for frequent awakenings.

Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Surgical ICU within the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Patients: Adult, female patients admitted to the surgical ICU requiring hourly postoperative assessments following breast free flap surgery between February 2018 and October 2019.

Interventions: Patients were randomized into an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received earplugs and eye masks in addition to standard postoperative care, whereas the control group received standard postoperative care.

Measurements and main results: The primary outcome was overall sleep quality assessed via the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes of patient satisfaction and rates of ICU delirium were assessed with a modified version of the Family Satisfaction in the ICU survey and the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. After a planned interim analysis, the study was stopped early because prespecified criteria for significance were attained. Compared with the control group's average Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire total score of 47.3 (95% CI, 40.8-53.8), the intervention group's average Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire total score was significantly higher at 64.5 (95% CI, 58.3-70.7; p = 0.0007). There were no significant between-group differences for Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU scores or modified Family Satisfaction in the ICU survey scores.

Conclusions: These results suggest that earplugs and eye masks are effective in improving sleep quality in ICU patients undergoing frequent assessments. The results strengthen the evidence for nonpharmacologic sleep-promoting adjuncts in the ICU.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03957317.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest.

Comment in

  • Sleep Disruption in the ICU Patient Population.
    Foley ED. Foley ED. Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;49(11):e1178. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005137. Crit Care Med. 2021. PMID: 34643585 No abstract available.
  • The authors reply.
    Obanor OO, Romito BT. Obanor OO, et al. Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;49(11):e1179. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005191. Crit Care Med. 2021. PMID: 34643586 No abstract available.
  • Ear Plugs, Eye Masks, and Risk of Bias.
    Lopez MG, Boncyk C. Lopez MG, et al. Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;49(11):e1180. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005140. Crit Care Med. 2021. PMID: 34643587 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • The authors reply.
    Obanor OO, Romito BT. Obanor OO, et al. Crit Care Med. 2021 Nov 1;49(11):e1181. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000005190. Crit Care Med. 2021. PMID: 34643588 No abstract available.

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