ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Impact of Visitation Restrictions in ICU on Psychological Symptoms in Family Members: Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors' conclusion
This study does not support the hypothesis that visitation restriction policies during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated high prevalence of long-term psychological symptoms among ICU family members.
Study context
- Population
- Family members of ICU patients with invasive mechanical ventilation with or without COVID-19, French ICUs
- Participants
- 811 members
- Comparison
- Unrestricted vs restricted vs forbidden ICU visitation periods
- Forbiddenn = 304
- Restrictedn = 294
- Unrestrictedn = 213
- Outcome
- Prevalence of anxiety-depression symptoms in family members
- Follow-up
- 90 days after ICU discharge
Methodological detailsprospective, multicentre
- Prospective
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Relative risk (95% CI)P value
Unrestricted vs Restricted
1.08(0.94–1.25)
P = 0.28Unrestricted vs Forbidden
1.08(0.93–1.24)
P = 0.33Further findings
Factors associated with anxiety-depression symptoms · 90 days after ICU discharge
| aRR (CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Female relatives | 1.78 (1.28–2.46) | P = 0.001 | |
| Dissatisfaction with ICU team's communication | 1.83 (1.22–2.74) | P = 0.004 | |
| Spouses of patients | 2.15 (1.42–3.26) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.20.5125Adjusted relative risk (log scale) |
Factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
| aRR (CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 disease | 1.52 (1.10–2.10) | P = 0.01 | |
| Patient death in ICU | 2.59 (1.91–3.51) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.20.5125Adjusted relative risk (log scale) |
PTSD risk
- PTSD risk across the three periods (forbidden, restricted, unrestricted): similar findings, no significant difference
- 36.5%, 40.8% and 34.3%, P= 0.29
- Order of values as printed, matching the periods in order
Factors associated with PTSD
- Female relatives, dissatisfaction with communication and spouses also significant risk factors
Original publication
Impact of Visitation Restrictions in ICU on Psychological Symptoms in Family Members: Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Published 23 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →