Visual Environmental Interventions and Preoperative Sleep: The Role of Curtain Color in Surgical Patients

Objective To investigate the association between ward curtain color and preoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery. Background Sleep disruption is common among hospitalized patients and is frequently influenced by environmental factors. Although color may affect emotional responses and sleep experience, clinical evidence regarding the role of curtain color in hospital settings remains limited. Methods In this prospective randomized study (N = 190), patients were assigned to wards with either light-colored curtains (beige/light blue) or dark-colored curtains (dark green/dark brown). Baseline sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Preoperative sleep during the first night of hospitalization was evaluated using the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire and wrist actigraphy. Results Baseline sleep quality did not differ significantly between groups. Compared with the dark-curtain group, patients exposed to light-colored curtains reported significantly higher Quality of Sleep and Behavior Following Wakening scores (both p < .05). Actigraphy findings were consistent, demonstrating significantly longer total sleep time and higher sleep efficiency in the light-curtain group (both p < .05). Multivariable analyses indicated that curtain color remained independently associated with subjective and objective sleep outcomes. Conclusions Light-colored ward curtains were associated with better short-term preoperative sleep outcomes under relatively standardized ward conditions. As a simple and low-cost visual environmental modification, curtain color may contribute to patients’ sleep experience and comfort during hospitalization.