Efficacy of virtual reality in alleviating post-ICU syndrome symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is a prevalent condition among critically ill patients, significantly impacting their recuperation and overall quality of life.

To evaluate the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology in mitigating PICS symptoms, with the aim of informing clinical practice and nursing care.

This systematic review and meta-analysis searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang and Weepu databases through 5 April 2024. This study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the impact of VR on PICS. The risk of bias in included RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software.

A total of seven RCTs involving 538 critically ill patients met the inclusion criteria. VR intervention significantly reduced anxiety levels (I² = 14%, SMD = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.01, p = .04), depression levels (I² = 49%, SMD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.69 to -0.08, p = .01), and the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (I² = 1%, SMD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.69 to -0.09, p = .01). There was no significant effect on quality of life (I² = 1%, SMD = 0.18, 95% CI: -0.16 to 0.52, p = .31). No evidence of publication bias was identified (all p > .05). VR technology demonstrates potential in mitigating the symptomatology associated with PICS in critically ill patients.

The integration of VR technology within the critical care nursing toolkit holds promise as an innovative adjunct in the comprehensive care paradigm for critically ill patients.

By leveraging the immersive and interactive capabilities of VR, it may be possible to mitigate the symptoms and sequelae associated with PICS.