Sleep Deprivation in Intensive Care Unit (ICU): A Brief Review

Abstract

Context: Published studies of epidemiological research show that poor quality sleep or short-term sleep is related to negative health effects. Objective: The objective of this study is to report on the various factors that contribute to poor sleep quality in patients found in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and its consequences for the recovery of the critically ill patient. Methods: This is a narrative review of the literature, with the following descriptors being used as a source of research for the articles: intensive care unit, sleep, sleep disturbances, sleep disorders, ICU, patients and stressors. Results: By evaluating the articles, the results showed categories that show the factors that interfere with the critical patient's sleep; consequences and effects of sleep deprivation. Conclusion: Due to the factors that interfere with sleep deprivation in the ICU, it can be said that the physiology of the sleep cycle, rest, promotion of relaxation by health professionals, comfort over the feeling of fear of death and pain, are important points to considered as a way to minimize the negative effects that sleep deprivation causes to the patient.