New publication: circadian biology in the Intensive Care Unit

Critically ill patients often experience severe disruption of their sleep cycles and circadian rhythm during their stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Constant artificial lighting, continuous nutritional intake, and 24/7 medical procedures interfere with the natural rhythms that normally help regulate our internal clock. Research shows that circadian rhythms play a crucial role in physiological regulation, recovery, and overall health, raising an important question: how can we integrate circadian biology effectively into ICU care?

Publication in CHEST

Our newest publication may contain the answer! We are proud to announce that our comprehensive roadmap addressing this question has now been published in CHEST, one of the leading scientific journals in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.

The roadmap came together as the result of a five‑day workshop organized by BioClock’s own Dr. Laura Kervezee at the Lorentz Center in Leiden. The workshop brought together international experts from circadian biology, intensive care medicine, and implementation science. Their collective efforts resulted in the evidence‑based framework and recommendation for future research in this field now published in CHEST.

Bridging the gap

This publication marks an important milestone in bridging the gap between circadian biology and critical care. With this roadmap, the team hopes to accelerate progress toward ICU environments and care strategies that support – not disrupt – the body’s natural rhythms, with the ultimate aim to improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable patients.

Read the full publication here.