TY - JOUR
T1 - Expert consensus on research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult ICU patients
AU - Beerens, Stef
AU - Van Steenkiste, Laurens
AU - Egerod, Ingrid
AU - Gargadennec, Thomas
AU - Ho, Mu-Hsing
AU - Nydahl, Peter
AU - Palakshappa, Jessica A
AU - Pun, Brenda
AU - Rose, Louise
AU - van den Boogaard, Mark
AU - Van Rompaey, Bart
AU - Wibrow, Bradley
AU - Labeau, Sonia O
AU - Blot, Stijn
N1 - Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To identify research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: We conducted an iterative, consensus-based modified Delphi methodology combined with initial literature search to establish a prioritized research agenda. As a first round of an anonymised modified Delphi procedure, a 10-member international expert panel, selected on basis of their academic and clinical expertise, were asked to add topics they perceived missing from a list of potential research gaps regarding ICU delirium prevention. In the second round, experts rated each topic research priority using a 4-point Likert scale (very low to very high). Topics were considered a research priority if rated 'high' or 'very high' by at least 80% of experts. A third round to establish a top 3 was planned if more than 10 priorities were identified.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Research priorities for delirium prevention in adult ICU patients.RESULTS: The evidence-based list comprised 44 potential research priorities with experts suggesting 9 additional topics. Of the 53 potential research priorities, 8 were unanimously rated as research priorities: 'early mobilization', 'exercise interventions', 'sedation breaks for ventilator weaning', 'routine delirium surveillance', 'cognitive training/exercise', 'reducing light, noise, and care activities at night', 'open visiting hours', and 'family participation'.CONCLUSIONS: We have identified 8 research priorities for delirium prevention in adult ICU patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: The research agenda developed in this study provides direction for future investigations into delirium prevention in ICU patients. By highlighting expert-endorsed priorities, it supports a more focused allocation of research efforts and funding. The findings may inform the development of targeted, evidence-based prevention strategies, ultimately contributing to improved clinical outcomes in critical care settings.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To identify research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: We conducted an iterative, consensus-based modified Delphi methodology combined with initial literature search to establish a prioritized research agenda. As a first round of an anonymised modified Delphi procedure, a 10-member international expert panel, selected on basis of their academic and clinical expertise, were asked to add topics they perceived missing from a list of potential research gaps regarding ICU delirium prevention. In the second round, experts rated each topic research priority using a 4-point Likert scale (very low to very high). Topics were considered a research priority if rated 'high' or 'very high' by at least 80% of experts. A third round to establish a top 3 was planned if more than 10 priorities were identified.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Research priorities for delirium prevention in adult ICU patients.RESULTS: The evidence-based list comprised 44 potential research priorities with experts suggesting 9 additional topics. Of the 53 potential research priorities, 8 were unanimously rated as research priorities: 'early mobilization', 'exercise interventions', 'sedation breaks for ventilator weaning', 'routine delirium surveillance', 'cognitive training/exercise', 'reducing light, noise, and care activities at night', 'open visiting hours', and 'family participation'.CONCLUSIONS: We have identified 8 research priorities for delirium prevention in adult ICU patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: The research agenda developed in this study provides direction for future investigations into delirium prevention in ICU patients. By highlighting expert-endorsed priorities, it supports a more focused allocation of research efforts and funding. The findings may inform the development of targeted, evidence-based prevention strategies, ultimately contributing to improved clinical outcomes in critical care settings.
KW - Humans
KW - Delirium/prevention & control
KW - Delphi Technique
KW - Intensive Care Units/organization & administration
KW - Consensus
KW - Adult
KW - Research/trends
KW - Female
KW - Delirium
KW - Research Agenda
KW - Modified Delphi Procedure
KW - Prevention
KW - Intensive Care Unit
KW - Research Priorities
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105008091362&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104124
DO - 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104124
M3 - Review
C2 - 40517566
SN - 0964-3397
VL - 91
JO - Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
JF - Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
M1 - 104124
ER -