Virtual Reality Stimulation to Enhance Cognitive Function of Intensive Care Unit Patients

Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern67 enrolled

Overview

An observational study will be conducted in the ICU (Intensive care unit) including patients with heart surgery (\< 5 days) and prolonged ICU stay (\> 5 days). Patients will receive 5 min Virtual reality stimulation per day. A modified version of the Oculus Rift VR glasses (Facebook inc., USA) with stereoscopic vision and stereo sound will be used to present the virtual world to patients. An integrated eye tracker will measure oculomotor responses that will be synchronized with the physiological data recording. All participants will undergo neuropsychological testing after ICU stay, and after a three-months follow-up. Quality of life prior to the ICU stay will be enquired from relatives. Main outcome variable is the explorative behaviour (attention). Secondary outcomes are the quality of life and cognitive functioning.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Cognitive Impairment, Mild Quality of Life

Interventions

Visuo-acoustic stimulationOTHER

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age \> =18 * Speak German or French * Are able to participate the follow up measurements * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Visual impairments * Cognitive impairments * Cognitive impairments * Craniocerebral injury before admitting the ICU * Already admitted the intensive care unit (last year) or at reentry * Psychotic disorders

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Attention measurement in patients in the intensive care unit

The attention is measured via explorative behaviour of the subject. This means an eye tracker is used to measure eye movements, fixation duration and number of fixations, which can be used to calculate the explorative behaviour.

Time frame: Changes from baseline in attention measurement during and after admission (3 Month) to the ICU

Secondary Outcomes

Quality of Life

The quality of life are examined via EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire

Time frame: After 3 months after admission to the ICU

Cognitive functioning

The cognitive abilities are examined via CERAD test battery (Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease) this includes word fluidity, Boston Naming Test (BNT), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), word list memory, constructive practice, word list retrieve, word list recognition, constructive practice (retrieve)

Time frame: Changes from baseline in cognitive functioning measurement after admission (3 Month) to the ICU