Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety, Agitation and Delirium in Critically Ill Patients
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Summary
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
Eligibility
- Age range
- Not specified
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
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. inabili…
Interventions
- DeviceVirtual reality (VR) therapy
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
Location
- Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterHershey, Pennsylvania