Virtual Reality for the Critically Ill Patients and Their Providers

Scoping review of the use of virtual reality in intensive care units

“…Three out of the four studies reported acceptability outcomes. All three studies reported that ICU patients felt that the VR headset was comfortable (18,47,66). With 90.5% (66) and 95.6% (18) of ICU patients agreeing that the VR headset was comfortable and 100% of ICU patients judged the VR headset to be at least moderately comfortable (47).…”

“…The second largest group of studies were based around the use of VR for Delirium (18,47,56,66). Out of the four studies, three studies were classified to be in VR2 stage of development [two single arm prospective repeated measures design studies (18,66), single arm prospective study (47)] and one study of a protocol for a RCT to be at VR3 (56). All four studies had a similar target population of current ICU patients (18,47,56,66).…”

“…Out of the four studies, three studies were classified to be in VR2 stage of development [two single arm prospective repeated measures design studies (18,66), single arm prospective study (47)] and one study of a protocol for a RCT to be at VR3 (56). All four studies had a similar target population of current ICU patients (18,47,56,66). However, Jawed et al (2020) also included healthcare professionals (47).…”

“…All four studies had a similar target population of current ICU patients (18,47,56,66). However, Jawed et al (2020) also included healthcare professionals (47). All four studies took a similar approach of using VR to help to relax the patients.…”

“…Two studies used a nature-based environment with environmental sounds (47,56) and two studies used nature environments with guided meditation using the RelaxVR software (www.relaxvr.co) (18,66).…”