VR-READY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Virtual Reality to Aid Recovery Post-ICU. How can immersive virtual reality be used to facilitate recovery and rehabilitation of patients following a stay in intensive care?
IRAS ID
323989
Contact name
Ceri Lynch
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Intensive care (ICU) patients often experience ongoing health problems after returning home. Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) can include problems with memory, thinking, physical impairments and reduced psychological wellbeing. There is currently no standard post-ICU care to support patients' recovery, made worse by a lack of staff and resources. A recent review suggested home-based and virtual care plans could allow many more people with PICS to access rehabilitation support.
Immersive virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be useful in helping relaxation and in combating pain and anxiety. This study aims to develop a VR program (intervention) for patients with PICS that can be accessed at home with an easy-to-use headset.We propose a three-stage program of research. First, we will run a series of focus groups with ICU survivors, their family members and healthcare professionals. In these we will explore the patient journey to identify the critical parts of recovery. We will also determine what is important to measure (outcomes) when assessing whether a home-based intervention work and how best to design a study to test a VR intervention at home.
The second stage will use data from the focus groups to alter an existing VR set-up (DR.VR) to create a VR program to specifically support the recovery of ICU patients.
Lastly, in the third phase, we will test the adapted VR intervention in a small group of patients, using a design informed from the focus groups, to see if using a home-based VR intervention is possible and if people are happy to use it. We will use interviews to explore how acceptable participants find the intervention and outcomes selected. The data will be analysed qualitatively to provide an in-depth understanding of the intervention and outcomes and can be used to inform the design of larger studies in the future.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0113
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion