title: A family intervention to reduce delirium in hospitalised ICU patients: A feasibility randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family members could play an important role in preventing and reducing the development of delirium in Intensive Care Units (ICU) patients. This study sought to assess the feasibility of design and recruitment, and acceptability for family members and nurses of a family delivered intervention to reduce delirium in ICU patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single centre randomised controlled trial in an Australian medical/surgical ICU was conducted. Sixty-one family members were randomised (29 in intervention and 32 in non-intervention group). Following instructions, the intervention comprised the family members providing orientation or memory clues (family photographs, orientation to surroundings) to their relative each day. In addition, family members conducted sensory checks (vision and hearing with glasses and hearing aids); and therapeutic or cognitive stimulation (discussing family life, reminiscing) daily. Eleven ICU nurses were interviewed to gain insight into the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the intervention from their perspective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recruitment rate was 28% of eligible patients (recruited n=90, attrition n=1). Following instruction by the research nurse the family member delivered the intervention which was assessed to be feasible and acceptable by family members and nurses. Protocol adherence could be improved with alternative data collection methods. Nurses considered the activities acceptable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study was able to recruit, randomise and retain family member participants. Further strategies are required to assess intervention fidelity and improve data collection.
authors.affiliation: NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Nursing, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Princess Alexandra Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: marion.mitchell@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Marion L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Electronic address: Susanne.Kean@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kean
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. Electronic address: j.z.rattray@dundee.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Janice E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rattray
authors.affiliation: Perth Royal Infirmary, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK; Department of Psychiatry, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. Electronic address: ahull@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Alastair M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.affiliation: Princess Alexandra Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: Chelsea.Davis@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: j.murfield@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jenny E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Murfield
authors.affiliation: NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Nursing, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Princess Alexandra Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Health Sciences, City University London, London, UK. Electronic address: Leanne.Aitken.1@city.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Leanne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Aitken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003693:Delirium / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010465:Perception
keywords: Critical illness; Delirium; Families; Family-centred care; Feasibilities studies; Health care; Intensive care units; Nursing; Person-centred care