Sensory stimulation interventions in ICU: A comprehensive systematic review on enhancing consciousness in unconscious patients

Abstract

Background: Unconsciousness is a common and critical condition among patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The potential impact of sensory stimulation as a therapeutic intervention for improving consciousness in these patients has gained increasing attention. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of sensory stimulation programs in enhancing consciousness levels among unconscious patients in the ICU. Objectives: The primary objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness of sensory stimulation programs in promoting consciousness among unconscious patients in the ICU. Secondary objectives include identifying specific types of sensory stimulation techniques employed, examining eligibility criteria for patient inclusion in relevant studies, and exploring the reported results and conclusions relating to the review questions and objectives. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Studies were included if they focused on sensory stimulation interventions for unconscious patients in the ICU. There were no restrictions on publication date or language. Studies that did not assess consciousness as an outcome or lacked sufficient data were excluded. Sources of Evidence: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science will be searched to identify relevant articles. The last search was conducted on 2022. Assessment of Risk of Bias: The included studies were assessed for risk of bias using standardized tools, such as the PEDRO tool for randomized controlled trials. Discrepancies in the assessment were resolved through consensus or consultation with a third reviewer. Methods for Presenting and Synthesizing Results: Study characteristics, patient demographics, intervention details, outcomes, and results were extracted and summarized. Number of Included Studies and Participants: A total of 11 studies involving 500 participants were included. The characteristics of the included studies, such as study design, sample size, sensory stimulation techniques used, and outcome measures, were summarized. Charting Methods: Two independent reviewers will extract data and assess the eligibility of studies based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Any discrepancies will be resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. A standardized data extraction form will be used to record relevant information, including study characteristics, patient demographics, intervention details, outcomes, and results. Results: Upon completion of the data extraction process, study characteristics, sensory stimulation techniques, and reported results will be summarized. If feasible, a meta-analysis will be conducted to provide a quantitative synthesis of the findings. Any limitations and potential biases identified among the included studies will be discussed.