Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40277282›Full record

ReviewJournal of advanced nursing2026

Patient Agitation in the Intensive Care Unit: A Concept Analysis.

Anne Mette N Adams, Diane Chamberlain, Charlotte Brun Thorup, Matthew J Maiden, Cherie Waite, Hila Ariela Dafny, Kay Bruce, Tiffany Conroy

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Anne Mette N AdamsCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0031-913X
Diane ChamberlainCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4157-9966
Charlotte Brun ThorupResearch Centre of Health and Applied Technology & Department of Radiography, University College Northern Denmark, Denmark.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7519-2639
Matthew J MaidenDepartment of Critical Care, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4345-3213
Cherie WaiteIntensive and Critical Care Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Hila Ariela DafnyCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8660-8505
Kay BruceCentral Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Tiffany ConroyCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0653-7960

Funding

Australian College of Critical Care NursesAustralian Government
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimExploring the concept of patient agitation in the intensive care unit.

backgroundPatient agitation in the intensive care unit is of widespread concern and linked to negative outcomes for patients, staff, and family members. There is currently no consensus on what constitutes agitation in the intensive care context, hindering effective and tailored prevention and management.

designConcept Analysis.

methodWalker and Avant's eight-step concept analysis approach. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search was carried out in the databases MEDLINE, PsychINFO and CINAHL. A total of 32 papers published between 1992 and 2023 were included, reviewed, and analysed to explore definitions, attributes, antecedents and consequences of patient agitation.

resultsPatient agitation in the intensive care unit is characterised by excessive motor activity, emotional tension, cognitive impairment, and disruption of care, often accompanied by aggression and changes in vital signs. Antecedents encompass critical illness, pharmacological agents and other drugs, physical and emotional discomfort, patient-specific characteristics and uncaring staff behaviours. Consequences of agitation range from treatment interruptions and poor patient outcomes to the psychological impact on patients, families, and staff.

conclusionAgitation in the intensive care unit is a complex issue which significantly impacts patient treatment and clinical outcomes. For healthcare professionals, patient agitation can contribute to high workloads and job dissatisfaction. Due to the complex nature of agitation, clinicians must consider multifaceted strategies and not rely on medication alone. Further research is needed to fully understand patient agitation in the ICU. Such understanding will support the development of improved strategies for preventing and managing the behaviours. IMPLICATIONS: A clearer understanding of patient agitation supports the development of tailored interventions that improve patient care, guide ICU training, and inform future research. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This concept analysis was developed with input from a patient representative.

Indexed as

Critical CareIntensive Care UnitsPsychomotor AgitationAdultAgedAggressionFemaleHumansMaleMiddle Agedagitationconcept analysiscritical caredeliriumintensive care unitnursingpatient and family Centred carequality and safety

Identifiers

PMID40277282
PMCPMC12810607

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.