Expert consensus on research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult ICU patients

Stef Beerens; Laurens Van Steenkiste; Ingrid Egerod; Thomas Gargadennec; Mu-Hsing Ho; Peter Nydahl; Jessica A Palakshappa; Brenda Pun; Louise Rose; Mark van den Boogaard; Bart Van Rompaey; Bradley Wibrow; Sonia O Labeau; Stijn Blot

doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104124

Expert consensus on research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult ICU patients

Stef Beerens, Laurens Van Steenkiste, Ingrid Egerod, Thomas Gargadennec, Mu-Hsing Ho, Peter Nydahl, Jessica A Palakshappa, Brenda Pun, Louise Rose, Mark van den Boogaard, Bart Van Rompaey, Bradley Wibrow, Sonia O Labeau, Stijn Blot

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Article number	104124
Journal	Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume	91
ISSN	0964-3397
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104124
Publication status	Published - Dec 2025
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Humans
Delirium/prevention & control
Delphi Technique
Intensive Care Units/organization & administration
Consensus
Adult
Research/trends
Female
Delirium
Research Agenda
Modified Delphi Procedure
Prevention
Intensive Care Unit
Research Priorities

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10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104124

Cite this

Beerens, S., Van Steenkiste, L., Egerod, I., Gargadennec, T., Ho, M.-H., Nydahl, P., Palakshappa, J. A., Pun, B., Rose, L., van den Boogaard, M., Van Rompaey, B., Wibrow, B., Labeau, S. O., & Blot, S. (2025). Expert consensus on research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult ICU patients. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 91, Article 104124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104124

Beerens, S, Van Steenkiste, L, Egerod, I, Gargadennec, T, Ho, M-H, Nydahl, P, Palakshappa, JA, Pun, B, Rose, L, van den Boogaard, M, Van Rompaey, B, Wibrow, B, Labeau, SO & Blot, S 2025, 'Expert consensus on research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult ICU patients', Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, vol. 91, 104124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104124

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title = "Expert consensus on research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult ICU patients",

abstract = "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.",

keywords = "Humans, Delirium/prevention \& control, Delphi Technique, Intensive Care Units/organization \& administration, Consensus, Adult, Research/trends, Female, Delirium, Research Agenda, Modified Delphi Procedure, Prevention, Intensive Care Unit, Research Priorities",

author = "Stef Beerens and \{Van Steenkiste\}, Laurens and Ingrid Egerod and Thomas Gargadennec and Mu-Hsing Ho and Peter Nydahl and Palakshappa, \{Jessica A\} and Brenda Pun and Louise Rose and \{van den Boogaard\}, Mark and \{Van Rompaey\}, Bart and Bradley Wibrow and Labeau, \{Sonia O\} and Stijn Blot",

note = "Copyright {\textcopyright} 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.",

year = "2025",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104124",

language = "English",

volume = "91",

journal = "Intensive and Critical Care Nursing",

issn = "0964-3397",

publisher = "Churchill Livingstone",

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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

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 - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105008091362

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 -

Expert consensus on research priorities for the prevention of delirium in adult ICU patients

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Keywords

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