+9.59 arousals
more sleep arousals under ICU noise conditions than baseline
Exact: mean difference 9.59
ICU noise significantly increases the number of sleep arousals in healthy subjects
Using the Cochrane Collaboration method for non-randomized studies, the review synthesized data from 18 studies (20 papers) assessing sleep in the ICU environment while recording sound levels. For healthy subjects, the number of arousals was significantly higher under ICU noise conditions than at baseline (mean difference 9.59; 95% CI 2.48–16.70). This indicates that noise in the ICU is a meaningful contributor to sleep disruption, though considerable heterogeneity between studies was also noted.
We found that the numbers of arousals between the baseline and the ICU noise condition in healthy subjects differed significantly (mean difference 9.59; 95% confidence interval 2.48-16.70).
Related findings
59.0 dBA
average PACU noise level nearly 20 dB above WHO recommendation
Mean sound level in the PACU was 59.0 dBA, far exceeding the WHO-recommended 40 dBA
Arnaud Weynants et al., 2024, Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing
-6.08%
lower heart rate with combined audio-visual nature stimuli at 26°C
Combined audio-visual natural stimuli reduced heart rate by 6.08% at 26°C
Min Wang et al., 2026, Buildings
>30 dB
background noise in all monitored bedrooms exceeded recommended sleep levels
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level in all monitored bedrooms was above 30 dB
Michael T. Solomon et al., 2025, Buildings
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