HEaling LIght Algorithms for the ICU Patient

Circadian disruption affects the majority of ICU patients and has far-reaching effects on organ functioning. At the level of the central nervous system, circadian misalignment facilitates executive cognitive dysfunction and the development of brain disorders such as ICU delirium.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus serves as the master pacemaker that sets the timing of circadian rhythms by regulating neuronal activity. Its function is determined by environmental factors, especially visible light with a high content of blue light components. Light as a photoperiodic signal has a great impact on the regulation of the epiphyseal melatonin secretion and the entrainment of the day-night rhythm. As a result using light therapy to maintain or entrain circadian rhythm seems to be a promising approach to prevent delirium in critically ill patients. The specific light effect on the rhythmicity of the melatonin levels is to be examined in a randomized controlled study design, which includes the application of three different Light Scheduling Algorithms. In this context a highly specialized light ceiling was installed in two patient treatment rooms. A Light Scheduling Algorithm (LSA) consists of specified values for illuminance [lux] and correlated color temperature (CCT, [kelvin]) for different time points and durations within a 24-hour period. These values are calculated by assessment of photometric light measures with regard to visual light effects as well as non-image-forming functions at the patients bedside.

Patients will be randomly allocated in to 3 treatment groups: (1) LSA-1 (high circadian effective irradiances + blue Light Intervention), (2) LSA-2 (high circadian effective irradiances without blue light intervention) and (3) LSA-3 (standard irradiances, Control Group). All LSAs will be applied to the patient using VitalSky Advanced. For the purpose of validation of efficacy of specific light interventions, blood samples for measurement of melatonin concentration will be collected.

The temporal study sequence is defined by treatment days and measurement series periods (SMAP-1 to SMAP-4, Serum Melatonin Assessment Period). SMAP-1 starts on the first morning at 06:00 a.m. after study inclusion. SMAP-1 through SMAP-4 each define 24-hour periods in which the blood melatonin concentration is determined every 4 hours (6 am, 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm, 10 pm, 2 am, 6 am). The SMAP-1 is intended to determine the patient's individual melatonin baseline. SMAP-2 to SMAP-4 start only when the patient has reached a stable level of wakefulness (RASS ≥-3 ). It can be assumed that the light intervention will only have an effect on melatonin balance from this level of wakefulness. A total of 4 SMAPs are planned per study patient.

Main Hypothesis:

Ventilated ICU patients receiving increased irradiance lighting may differ in the rhythmicity of serum melatonin concentrations and more frequently exhibit physiologic circadian melatonin secretions compared with patients receiving conventional irradiance lighting.

Secondary Hypotheses:

• Ventilated intensive care patients receiving illumination with increased irradiance and phases of Blue-Enriched White light (BEW) differ in the rhythmicity of serum melatonin concentrations compared with patients receiving illumination with increased irradiance but without BEW.
• Ventilated intensive care patients receiving illumination with increased irradiance and phases with BEW differ in the rhythmicity of serum melatonin concentrations compared with patients receiving illumination with conventional irradiance.
• Ventilated intensive care patients receiving illumination with increased irradiance without phases with BEW differ in the rhythmicity of serum melatonin concentrations compared with patients receiving illumination with conventional irradiance.
• Ventilated intensive care patients receiving increased irradiance lighting and periods of BEW have a lower incidence of delirium than patients receiving conventional irradiance lighting.
• Ventilated intensive care patients receiving increased irradiance lighting and periods of BEW have lower delirium severity than patients receiving conventional irradiance lighting.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient capable of giving consent or additionally existing legal caregiver/authorized representative in case of non-consenting patients in the intensive care unit
• Male and female patients with age ≥ 18 years
• Expected intensive care unit stay ≥ 5 days
• Invasive mechanical ventilation or non-invasive mechanical ventilation (with positive ventilation pressure > 6 hours/day or high flow >30 liters) on the day of ICU admission

Exclusion criteria

• Participation in other clinical studies during the study period and ten days before
• Patients with psychiatric diseases
• Patients with a history of stroke and known severe residual cognitive deficits
• Patients with a history of cardiopulmonary arrest or pulseless electric activity with cardiopulmonary resuscitation followed by therapeutic hypothermia during entire hospital stay
• Analphabetism
• Anacusis or Hypoacusis with hearing aid device, Amaurosis
• Lacking willingness to save and hand out data within the study
• Accommodation in an institution due to an official or judicial order
• History of sleep-related breathing disorders
• History or suspicion of hypoxic brain damage
• History or suspicion of elevated intracranial pressure in the last 7 days before study inclusion
• Patients with an open chest after cardiac surgery
• Patient has a power of attorney or patient's provision, where he/she refuses participation in any clinical trial
• The informed consent of the patient or the subject's legally acceptable representative can't be obtained in time
• Severe eye diseases
• History of photoallergic reactions
• History of visually triggered seizures

Termination criteria:

Under the following conditions, premature withdrawal of a Patient from the study according to the termination criteria will occur:

• Personal request of the patient/caregiver/authorized representative.
• Any other situation in which, in the opinion of the study physician, continued participation in the clinical trial is not in the best interest of the of the patient
• Subsequent occurrence of an exclusion criterion

Premature termination of the study or discontinuation of the entire study may be considered because of the following circumstances:

• Decision of the principal investigator in case of unacceptable risks under Benefit-risk consideration
• New (scientific) findings during the term of the clinical study that may compromise the safety of the study participants (positive risk-benefit balance no longer given).