Enhancing Sleep and Reducing Stress: The Power of Eye Masks and Earplugs

Stress is a natural response to challenging environments, but when it becomes chronic—especially in high-stakes settings like hospitals—it can severely impact both mental and physical health. Nowhere is this more evident than in intensive care units (ICUs), where patients often face not only critical illness but also environmental stressors such as noise, bright lights, and disrupted sleep. Poor sleep quality in ICUs is linked to increased anxiety, fear, and physiological instability, all of which can hinder recovery.

Bahcecioglu Turan et al. (2023) explored a simple, non-pharmacological intervention to address this issue: the use of eye masks and earplugs. This blog post delves into the study’s methodology and findings, and discusses how these tools can be integrated into stress management strategies in clinical settings.

The Study

The study, titled "The effects of eye masks and earplugs on sleep quality, anxiety, fear, and vital signs in patients in an intensive care unit: A randomised controlled study", aimed to evaluate whether using eye masks and earplugs at night could improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety, fear, and physiological stress in ICU patients.

Conducted in the Coronary ICU of Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital in Turkey, the study focused on patients with heart failure—a group particularly vulnerable to stress and sleep disturbances.

Methodology

This was a randomized controlled trial involving 70 patients, divided equally into an intervention group and a control group. Key aspects of the methodology included:

• Inclusion Criteria: Adults (≥18 years) with NYHA Class II or III heart failure, no recent anesthesia or sedative use, no cognitive or psychiatric disorders, and the ability to use eye masks and earplugs independently.
• Randomization: Patients were randomly assigned using a computerized system and sealed envelopes.
• Intervention: For three consecutive nights, the intervention group used CE-certified eye masks and hypoallergenic earplugs from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., in addition to receiving routine care. The control group received only routine care.
• Data Collection Tools:
• Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) for sleep quality.
• Visual Analogue Scale-Fear (VAS-F) and Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety (VAS-A).
• Vital Signs Monitoring Form for heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature.

Key Findings

The results were compelling:

• Sleep Quality: The intervention group showed a significant increase in RCSQ scores, indicating improved sleep quality.
• Anxiety and Fear: Both VAS-A and VAS-F scores decreased significantly in the intervention group.
• Vital Signs: There were notable reductions in heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the intervention group, suggesting a physiological reduction in stress.

These findings support the hypothesis that reducing sensory input at night can positively affect both psychological and physiological stress markers in ICU patients.

Sleep Quality and Stress Management

Sleep is a cornerstone of stress recovery. In ICU settings, where stress is often unavoidable, improving sleep can serve as a buffer against its harmful effects. This study reinforces the idea that non-pharmacological interventions—like eye masks and earplugs—can be powerful tools in stress management, especially when pharmacological options may carry risks or side effects.

By minimizing environmental stimuli, these simple devices help restore a sense of calm and control, which is crucial for patients who often feel powerless in the ICU environment.

Practical Implications

For healthcare providers, especially ICU nurses and clinicians, this study offers actionable insights:

• Low-Cost Intervention: Eye masks and earplugs are inexpensive, easy to implement, and require minimal training.
• Improved Patient Outcomes: Better sleep and reduced anxiety can lead to faster recovery, shorter ICU stays, and potentially lower healthcare costs.
• Enhanced Care Quality: Incorporating these tools into routine ICU care can improve patient satisfaction and overall care experience.

Conclusion

This study highlights the profound impact that small, thoughtful interventions can have on patient well-being. In high-stress environments like ICUs, where sleep is often compromised, tools as simple as eye masks and earplugs can significantly improve sleep quality and reduce stress-related symptoms. As part of a broader stress management strategy, these findings encourage a shift toward more holistic, patient-centred care.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Reference
Bahcecioglu Turan, G., Gürcan, F., & Özer, Z. (2023). The effects of eye masks and earplugs on sleep quality, anxiety, fear, and vital signs in patients in an intensive care unit: A randomised controlled study. Journal of Sleep Research, 33(1), e14044. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.14044