Quick Links

  • Increase Font Size
  • Decrease Font Size
  • View as PDF

Recommendations Summary

EE: Room Conditions in Healthy and Non-Critically Ill 2014

Click here to see the explanation of recommendation ratings (Strong, Fair, Weak, Consensus, Insufficient Evidence) and labels (Imperative or Conditional). To see more detail on the evidence from which the following recommendations were drawn, use the hyperlinks in the Supporting Evidence Section below.


  • Recommendation(s)

    EE: Room Temperature in Healthy Adults

    The registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) should minimize the effect of ambient temperature on resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a healthy adult, by keeping the room temperature between 22°C to 25°C (72°F to 77°F) or providing a blanket during the measurement. RMR measurements conducted at room temperatures 20°C or 68°F or less were higher than those conducted at 22°C to 25°C (72°F to 77°F). The use of a blanket minimized this increase. No studies were found that evaluated the effect of increased room temperature more than 25°C or 77°F on RMR.

    Rating: Fair
    Imperative

    EE: Noise Conditions in Healthy and Non-Critically Ill Adults and Children

    The registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) should measure resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a healthy or non-critically ill adult or child in a quiet room. Noise could adversely affect the measurement.

    Rating: Consensus
    Imperative

    • Risks/Harms of Implementing This Recommendation

      There are no potential risks or harms associated with the application of these recommendations.

    • Conditions of Application

      • Seasonality has been shown to have an effect on RMR, with cold indoor room temperature resulting in greater increases in energy expenditure during the winter compared to the summer (Kashiwazaki et al, 1990; van Ooijen et al, 2004)
      • Clinical judgment should be used in applying the recommendation, EE: Room Temperature in Healthy Adults,  to healthy children and non-critically ill children and adults, due to no evidence in these populations
      • When applying the recommendation to children, the child's age should be considered, due to variability in physical and developmental attributes.

       

    • Potential Costs Associated with Application

      There are no obvious costs that may be associated with the application of these recommendations.

    • Recommendation Narrative

      EE: Room Temperature in Healthy Adults

      • Three studies in healthy adults provide evidence that decreased room temperature (less than 20°C or 68°F) has been shown to increase resting metabolic rate (RMR), relative to a room temperature of approximately 22°C to 25°C or 72°F to 77°F. The use of a blanket minimized this increase.
      • Seasonality has also been shown to have an effect on RMR, with cold indoor room temperature resulting in greater increases in energy expenditure during the winter compared to the summer. No studies were found that evaluated the effect of increased room temperature (more than 25°C or 77°F) on RMR.
      • Further research is needed to better define the thermoneutral room temperature range and to examine the effect of increased room temperature on RMR in the non-critically ill
      • Evidence is based on the following: 
        • One positive-quality time series study (Van Ooijen et al, 2004)
        • One neutral-quality time series study (Kashiwazaki et al, 1990) 
        • One neutral-quality non-randomized crossover trial (Claessens-van Ooijen et al, 2006).

      EE: Noise Conditions in Healthy and Non-Critically Ill Adults and Children

      No studies meeting the established inclusion criteria were identified to address noise conditions prior to an RMR measurement in healthy and non-critically ill individuals. Data from another study was considered for this consensus recommendation. One article provides support for the recommendation, indicating that a quiet, thermoneutral environment should be achieved for measuring RMR (Wooley and Sax, 2003).

    • Recommendation Strength Rationale

      • Conclusion statement supporting EE: Room Temperature in Healthy Adults is Grade II.
      • The recommendation EE: Noise Conditions in Healthy and Non-Critically Ill Adults and Children is based on consensus.

    • Minority Opinions

      None.