Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety, Agitation and Delirium in Critically Ill Patients

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center30 enrolled

Overview

This is a pilot feasibility study examining the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The study evaluates whether brief, non-interactive VR sessions delivered using a commercially available standalone head-mounted display with calming, nature-based content can be delivered safely and effectively within routine SICU workflow. Exploratory objectives assess whether VR sessions are associated with changes in anxiety, agitation, delirium, pain, and sedative medication requirements. This research is not intended to evaluate the safety or effectiveness of the headset and/or the specific VR software used for the research

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit Sleep Quality in Adult ICU Patients Agitation Associated With Critical Illness Anxiety Acute

Interventions

Virtual reality (VR) therapyBEHAVIORAL

VR sessions will use a commercially available headset with non-interactive, immersive content displaying calming nature-based content (e.g., ocean/beach scenes, forests, mountains) delivered through a commercially available VR application

Eligibility

Sex: ALLHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged ≥ 18 years old admitted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. 2. No significant uncorrectable visual or auditory impairments 3. Estimated ICU length of stay \> 48h 4. At the time of each VR session, able to keep eyes open for at least 30 seconds, follow simple commands and able to indicate discomfort or request to stop. 5. English speaking Exclusion Criteria: 1. Significant hemodynamic instability 2. Known psychotic disorders associated with delusions (e.g. schizophrenia) 3. Severe dementia (e.g. inability to communicate or follow simple commands) 4. History of disequilibrium syndrome or vertigo 5. Acute hyperactive delirium, requiring physical restraints

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM)

Time frame: From time of enrollment to end of intervention at 3 days

Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM)

Time frame: From time of enrollment to end of intervention at 3 days

Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM)

Time frame: From time of enrollment to end of intervention at 3 days

Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety, Agitation and Delirium in Critically Ill Patients

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Central Contacts