Perceived environmental stressors were significantly and negatively associated with both sleep quality and ICU experience, and poor sleep quality was itself a significant negative predictor of ICU experience, demonstrating both direct and indirect pathways through which environmental stressors contribute to negative critical care outcomes.
Perceived environmental stressors were significantly and negatively associated with sleep quality in ICU patients.
Perceived environmental stressors were significantly and negatively associated with ICU patient experience.
Poor sleep quality was a significant negative predictor of ICU patient experience.
Demographic and clinical characteristics were not significant predictors of either sleep quality or ICU experience.
The study examined sleep quality and ICU experience simultaneously within the same regression model framework, addressing a gap in existing literature.
This research suggests that the hospital environment in intensive care units (ICUs) — particularly factors like noise, bright lighting, and lack of privacy — has a measurable negative impact on how well patients sleep and how positively they experience their ICU stay. In a study of 156 ICU patients in Türkiye, researchers found that patients who perceived more environmental stressors reported worse sleep quality and worse overall ICU experiences. Notably, the link between environmental stressors and poor ICU experience was quite strong. The study also found that poor sleep itself independently predicted a worse ICU experience, meaning environmental stressors affect patients through two pathways: directly (by making the ICU stay feel worse) and indirectly (by disrupting sleep, which then further worsens the experience). Interestingly, patient demographics and clinical characteristics — such as age or medical condition — did not significantly predict sleep quality or ICU experience, suggesting the environment itself plays a more central role than individual patient factors. This research suggests that nursing interventions aimed at reducing environmental stressors — such as implementing quiet hours, dimming lights at night, or using ear plugs and eye masks — could meaningfully improve both sleep and the overall patient experience in the ICU. The findings also support broader efforts to redesign ICU environments and develop nurse-led strategies focused on patient comfort and wellbeing during critical illness.
Aksoy M, Büyükbayram Genç Z, Güner M. (2026). The Impact of Environmental Stressors on Sleep Quality and Patient Experience in the Intensive Care Unit.. Nursing in critical care. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.70315