Effects of sensory deprivation on patients in ICU's

Abstract

Being in intensive care unit (ICU) is a stressful situation for patients. Sleeping problems, interventions which are not enough to ensure orientation of patients to place and time, affects them in a negative way. Sensory deprivation (which is also described as a loss of sensory input) is a reduction of variety and intensity of sensory input with or without change in pattern, has been a problem since the early days of ICUs. Literature shows that boredom, impaired consciousness, lack of coherent thinking, anxiety and fear occur during sensory deprivation. Nurses are the only group in contact with patients 24 hours a day and are probably the most appropriate health care professionals to assess patients' sensory functions and their enviroment. They can also consider possible hazards to prevent sensory disturbances and take appropriate steps to alleviate them.