NIH-funded research Sbir 1 grant

A virtual reality application to reduce delirium in ICU patients.

Official title: Virtual PARTNER (Provide, Activate, Restore, Track, iNspire, Educate, Rehabilitate): Multi-component virtual reality application to target a reduction in delirium in the intensive care unit.

Funded at Ralphvr INC. · NIH-11007082 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a virtual reality program that helps ICU patients stay mentally active, sleep better, and move around more, all to prevent confusion and improve their recovery, while making it easier for nurses to provide care.

More Intensive Care Unit research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 1 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRalphvr INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Lexington, United States)
Project startSeptember 17, 2024
Project endSeptember 14, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$254,892
NIH project number1R43AT013038-01
Project IDNIH-11007082 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients admitted to the ICU who are at high risk for developing delirium.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not admitted to the ICU or those who do not exhibit risk factors for delirium may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates a multi-component virtual reality application designed to help reduce the incidence of delirium in patients within the intensive care unit (ICU). By utilizing technology, the application aims to provide cognitive stimulation, optimize sleep, and encourage patient mobilization, all of which are crucial in preventing delirium. The approach focuses on delivering these interventions in a way that minimizes the burden on nursing staff, ensuring that care remains effective and efficient. Patients will engage with the virtual reality system as part of their care routine, potentially improving their cognitive outcomes and overall recovery.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the rates of delirium in ICU patients, leading to better recovery outcomes and improved quality of life post-discharge.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that non-pharmacological interventions can effectively reduce delirium in hospitalized patients, suggesting that this technology-based approach may also be successful.

Where this research is happening

  • Ralphvr INC.
    Lexington, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Hoagland, Richard — Ralphvr INC.
  • Study coordinator: Hoagland, Richard

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Understanding how sleep affects delirium in ICU patients

    This study is looking at how sleep patterns might affect older adults who are in the ICU after thoracic surgery, to see if poor sleep could lead to confusion or delirium during their hospital stay, with the goal of finding ways to help them feel better.

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  • Understanding brain blood flow and its effects on recovery after heart surgery

    This study is looking at how blood flow to the brain after heart surgery can affect your thinking and memory, and it aims to find the best ways to manage your blood pressure during recovery to help prevent problems like confusion and memory loss.

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  • Juggling Work and Family for Parents of Very Preterm Babies

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    NIH research Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · Providence, United States · NIH-11413664

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.