Intracranial pressure changes and family presence.

This study investigated the association between family visits and fluctuations in intracranial pressure (ICP) in a population of 24 patients with ventriculostomies and Richmond bolts. Variables known to influence ICP, such as medications, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, suctioning, and other interventions, were taken into account. Recording of ICP by registered nurses at 15-minute intervals during family absence and 5-minute intervals during family presence provided over 10,000 data points. A time series quasi-experimental design was used to analyze the data. A decrease in ICP was indicated during family presence in all but six cases, and in these six, none of the increases in ICP was statistically significant.