SRC012 (v1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study to assess the impact of modulating the hospital light environment on patient and staff well-being
IRAS ID
319094
Contact name
Victoria Revell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
‘Patient deconditioning’ (PD) is the body’s adaptation to a period of inactivity. It can cause a loss of muscle tone, reduced mobility, increased confusion, and demotivation. Inpatients, particularly those that are older and frailer, after prolonged stays and bed rest in hospital are more prone to this deconditioning.\n\nPD can be particularly bad for people living with dementia as they, generally, experience high levels of abnormal sleep disruptions and, along with hospital stays where PD has occurred, this can increase the risk of falls at night and affect both mental and physical wellbeing.\n\nPD can not only cause additional problems to patients but can be a burden on hospitals as longer stays result in higher patient load and less available resources.\n\nOur lighting environment has been found to improve our cognitive functions as well as our daily (circadian) body clock, which drives our sleep/wake cycle. Sleep is a major determinant of both mental and physical wellbeing. Therefore, optimising our light environment (e.g., colour, brightness, and timing) can have positive effects and may consequently reduce the consequences of PD.\n\nIn this feasibility study, we will be assessing the impact of changing the ward environment in two participating hospitals (Milford Hospital & RSCH) and will evaluate the acceptability of the change and tools used. Overall, the study will run for 1 year, however individual participant involvement will be from however many days inpatients spend at the hospital to a maximum of 6 months for staff. We will assess the impact on inpatients using interviews, subjective questionnaires, and under-mattress sensors which will continuously record patient sleep and physiological variables. We would also like to investigate the influence of this light environment on staff as it may have the potential to increase wellbeing and promote delivery of high-quality care for patients.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0026
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion