Effect of Eye Mask Use on Sleep Quality and Delirium After CABG Surgery

Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery may experience substantial disruption of their normal sleep-wake cycle during the postoperative period. Physical symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, and nocturia; psychological factors such as anxiety and depression; and environmental factors such as noise and continuous light exposure may contribute to poor sleep. Disrupted sleep may delay recovery, reduce quality of life, and increase susceptibility to postoperative delirium.

Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly used to promote sleep while avoiding medication-related adverse effects. Reducing ambient light during nighttime sleep may support circadian regulation and facilitate sleep initiation and maintenance. Eye masks provide a simple, safe, inexpensive, and readily applicable method of limiting light exposure in clinical settings.

This study will evaluate whether postoperative eye mask use improves sleep quality and reduces delirium levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The findings may provide evidence for incorporating eye mask use into routine postoperative nursing care following cardiac surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18 years or older
• Scheduled to undergo elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery
• Conscious, cooperative, and oriented
• No diagnosed cognitive impairment that would prevent informed consent or completion of the study assessments
• Able to communicate in Turkish
• Baseline Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) score below 2
• Able and willing to use an eye mask
• Voluntarily agreed to participate and provided written informed consen

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed sleep disorder
• Regular use of sleep medication
• Habitual use of an eye mask during sleep
• Severe visual impairment or an ocular, facial, or skin condition preventing the safe use of an eye mask
• Severe communication impairment preventing completion of the data collection instruments
• Undergoing emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery