Family voice recordings increased delirium-free days in an intensive care trial
A randomized trial tested daytime recordings that reminded ventilated patients about their intensive care surroundings. The recording group spent more days without delirium.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In this randomized trial, patients who heard recorded family messages had more days without delirium than patients receiving usual care. The recordings provided repeated reminders about the intensive care environment. This abstract-based result applies to adults receiving mechanical ventilation, and the missing size of the difference limits judgments about its practical importance.
The abstract reports statistical significance without the groups' delirium-free day counts or a confidence interval. It does not identify who was blinded, limiting appraisal of that feature.
What researchers found
More delirium-free days
Family recordings versus usual care, assessed over 7 days or until ICU discharge; the absolute difference was not reported.
What the recordings did
Family members' recorded voices were played hourly during daytime to help patients reorient to their surroundings. Researchers assessed delirium twice daily, allowing the trial to compare days without delirium across the observation period.
A separate exposure pattern
Receiving more recordings was associated with less delirium. The abstract does not describe random assignment to different recording frequencies, so that association does not establish which amount of exposure would work best.
The original publication
Delirium Reduction via Scripted Family Voice Recordings in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation.
Munro CL, Liang Z, Elias MN et al.
Am J Crit Care · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41173649
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.