Virtual reality to help ICU patients move more and feel better
Designing a Virtual Reality Intervention to Improve Physical and Psychological Health in Intensive Care Units
This project will try nurse-led virtual reality sessions to help adult ICU patients who have been in the ICU at least three days move more and feel better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Duke University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Durham, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT07234201 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-site interventional program uses nurse-driven virtual reality (VR) mobility sessions for English-speaking adults with limited mobility after three or more days in the ICU. Patients who are intubated, sedated, delirious, blind, pregnant, on special enteric contact isolation, or with a history of seizure or vertigo are excluded. Nurses deliver VR sessions at the bedside with the goal of increasing physical activity and improving patient-reported wellbeing. Outcomes are focused on mobility and how patients feel during their ICU stay, though specific endpoints are not listed in the brief description.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking adults aged 18 or older who have been in the ICU for three or more days and have limited mobility but are not intubated, sedated, or delirious and do not have contraindications like blindness, seizure/vertigo history, pregnancy, or special enteric contact isolation.
Not a fit: Patients who are intubated or sedated, delirious, blind, pregnant, on special enteric isolation, or with a history of seizures or vertigo are excluded and would not be expected to benefit from the VR mobility sessions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, nurse-led VR could increase patient mobility in the ICU, improve mood and engagement, and potentially reduce ICU-related weakness during recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Small pilot studies have shown VR can reduce anxiety and improve engagement and comfort in hospitalized patients, but using nurse-driven VR specifically to increase ICU mobility is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * English speaking * Adults age 18 or greater * ICU stay greater or equal to 3 days * Limited mobility Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Special enteric contact isolation * Blindness * History of seizure or vertigo * Intubated and sedated * ICU delirium
Where this trial is running
Durham, North Carolina
- Duke University Hospital — Durham, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anna Mall — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Anna Mall
- Email: anna.mall@duke.edu
- Phone: 984-227-0106
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.