Virtual reality program in the ICU — PARTNER
Virtual Reality in ICU (PARTNER) - A Research Study About Engaging in Strategies to Promote Relaxation, Improve Your Mood, and Stimulate Thinking in the Intensive Care Setting
This program will try using a virtual reality headset with ICU patients who have acute respiratory failure or sepsis to help with relaxation, mood, and thinking.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 32 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Kentucky Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lexington, Kentucky) |
| Trial ID | NCT06876168 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational project uses a commercially available VR headset to deliver short daily sessions of breathing exercises, guided relaxation, and simple cognitive games to ICU patients. Participants typically use the VR program for about 15 to 45 minutes per day over approximately five days while hospitalized. Researchers will monitor outcomes such as delirium, loneliness, mood, and cognitive engagement during the ICU stay. Eligibility excludes people under 18, those with pre-existing neurologic or major psychiatric disorders, current pregnancy, active hospice care, prisoners, or open head/neck wounds.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults admitted to the University of Kentucky ICU with acute respiratory failure or sepsis who do not have pre-existing neurologic or major psychiatric disorders, are not pregnant, are not prisoners, and do not have open head or neck wounds are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who are under 18, have pre-existing neurologic or psychiatric disorders, recent acute neurologic events, are pregnant, incarcerated, receiving hospice care, or have open wounds on the head or neck are excluded and unlikely to receive benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce delirium and loneliness and improve mood and cognitive engagement for patients during their ICU stay.
How similar studies have performed: Similar pilot studies of VR in hospital settings have shown promising reductions in anxiety, pain, and delirium but the evidence is still limited and larger studies are needed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Admitted to ICU at University of Kentucky for acute respiratory failure, sepsis or other Exclusion Criteria: * Are less than 18 years of age * Have a pre-existing neurologic disorder * Have a pre-existing emotional or personality disorder * Have a history or active mental health disorder or disease * Experienced an acute neurologic event (e.g., stroke) * Are currently pregnant * Are a prisoner * Receiving hospice care * Have existing open wounds or pressure ulcers on head or neck
Where this trial is running
Lexington, Kentucky
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, Kentucky, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kirby P. Mayer, Ph.D. — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Louisa A Summers, Ph.D.
- Email: lasu229@uky.edu
- Phone: 859-200-6008
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.