Critical Analysis of the Nocturnal Distribution of Light Exposure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
CANDLE - Critical Analysis of the Nocturnal Distribution of Light Exposure in Critical Care
IRAS ID
232050
Contact name
Thomas Craig
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 2 days
Research summary
Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) receive the most up to date medical treatments available. These treatments allow patients to survive conditions that would otherwise be terminal. Whilst ICU care is technologically far advanced to that on general wards, it is a busy, restless environment. Good evidence exists which demonstrates that nocturnal exposure to light is bad for patients. We know that inappropriate light exposure alters the natural day-night cycle in patients, which can cause patients to become confused and disorientated. This disruption can also affect the way critically ill patients respond to infection and inflammation. This in turn can have a negative impact on length of ICU stay, Morbidity and Mortality.
There is currently no good data looking at how much nocturnal light patients are exposed to, when they are exposed to it, and which patients are affected most. There is also no medical guidance on limits to nocturnal light exposure. This project will quantify how much nocturnal light ICU patients are being exposed to. It will also assess who, when and why patients are exposed to this light in order to make suggestions on how to minimise exposure, and thus improve patient outcome.
Lux (light intensity) will be measured regularly overnight allowing accurate lux measurement. Other data collected include how unwell the patient is, and how unwell those around them are. This is to identify if being more sick exposes patients to more Lux, and also if being positioned next to a patient who is very unwell exposes patients to higher Lux. We are also analysing whether position in the ICU has an impact on Lux exposure. When the project is complete we aim to make recommendations in order to decrease nocturnal lux exposure and therefore improve patient outcomes.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0258
Date of REC Opinion
23 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion