Sleep Deprivation in the Intensive Care Patients

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are known to have highly fragmented sleep, with a disturbed circadian pattern, shortened overnight sleep hours, drastically enhanced stages 1 and 2 sleep and limited or non-existent deep sleep. In order to maintain patients' biological circadian rhythms, sleep should be prioritised during the day and night. Thus, to minimize the impact of sleep interruptions and exhaustion in ICU patients, a comprehensive strategy that includes assessment of sleep problems and lethargy, environmental controls, appropriate pharmaceutical management, and educational and psychological interventions is required. This review article focuses on the impact, causes, risk factors and management of sleep deprivation along with interventions to promote the sleep quality.