From the Guidelines
Onda delta, or delta waves, are a crucial component of deep, non-REM sleep, and their disruption can have significant implications for morbidity, mortality, and quality of life, particularly in ICU patients. Delta waves are high-amplitude brain waves with a frequency of 0.5-4 Hz that occur during stage 3 sleep, and are essential for restorative sleep, physical recovery, immune system functioning, and memory consolidation 1. In the context of ICU patients, atypical sleep patterns, including delta waves without cyclic organization, have been reported, and are often associated with pathologic wakefulness, sedation, sepsis, and delirium 1. Factors that disrupt delta wave sleep, such as noise, pain, and discomfort, immobility, nursing care interventions, and worry/anxiety/fear, can have a significant impact on patient outcomes, including increased morbidity, mortality, and decreased quality of life 1.
Some key factors that can disrupt delta wave sleep in ICU patients include:
- Noise, which can be mitigated with earplugs or white noise machines
- Pain and discomfort, which can be managed with adequate pain control and comfort measures
- Immobility, which can be addressed with regular mobilization and physical therapy
- Nursing care interventions, which can be optimized to minimize disruptions to sleep
- Worry/anxiety/fear, which can be addressed with emotional support and counseling
Optimizing sleep quality, including delta wave sleep, is crucial for improving patient outcomes, and healthcare providers should prioritize strategies to minimize sleep disruptions and promote restorative sleep in ICU patients. This can be achieved by creating a sleep-conducive environment, minimizing noise and light, and promoting relaxation and comfort 1. By prioritizing sleep quality, healthcare providers can help reduce morbidity, mortality, and improve quality of life for ICU patients.
From the Research
Onda Delta
- Onda delta, also known as delta waves, are a type of brain wave pattern that can be observed in electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings 2.
- Delta waves are typically associated with deep sleep, unconsciousness, and brain injury, and can be an indicator of neurological dysfunction 3.
- In the context of COVID-19, delta waves have been observed in EEG recordings of patients with COVID-19, particularly in those with encephalopathy or other neurological symptoms 4, 2.
- The presence of delta waves in COVID-19 patients may be related to the neurological effects of the virus, including inflammation and damage to brain tissue 4, 2.
- However, it is worth noting that delta waves are not specific to COVID-19 and can be observed in a variety of other neurological conditions, making it difficult to determine the underlying cause of the delta waves in a given patient 3.
Delta Variant
- The delta variant is a strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been associated with increased transmissibility and severity of COVID-19 5, 6.
- Studies have shown that vaccination can reduce transmission of the delta variant, but the effectiveness of vaccination in preventing transmission may wane over time 5, 6.
- The delta variant has been associated with higher viral loads and increased risk of transmission, even among vaccinated individuals 6.
- However, vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19, even in the presence of the delta variant 5, 6.