An Innovative Virtual Reality Experience in the PICU: A Pilot Study*

Abstract

Objectives: Patients in the PICU frequently have limitations that impede independent interactions with their environment. Virtual reality is an immersive experience that may improve outcomes in critically ill children. The objective of this study was to assess feasibility and satisfaction with virtual reality. Design: Cross-sectional, single-arm pilot study. Setting: PICU. Patients: Convenience sample of 3- to 17-year-old patients. Interventions: Three-hundred sixty degree immersions were delivered using a simple virtual reality headset and smartphone videos. Each participant was given a choice of developmentally appropriate virtual reality experiences. Following the short (< 15 min) virtual reality experience, participants, and parents completed a brief survey. Measurements and Main Results: One-hundred percent of participants enjoyed using virtual reality, and 84% reported preference to use virtual reality for a longer duration. One-hundred percent of parents agreed that their child enjoyed using virtual reality, and 100% enjoyed watching their child use virtual reality. Eighty-two percent of parents reported that virtual reality calmed their child. Conclusions: Virtual reality is an innovative, easily administered, and enjoyable tool that subjectively calms PICU patients in an otherwise chaotic environment.

Impact of social media interventions and tools among informal caregivers of critically ill patients after patient admission to the intensive care unit: A scoping review

“…We included six qualitative studies and most (4/6) were conducted with neonatal or pediatric critical care populations. Caregivers were most commonly parents (n = 19, 61%) [ 30 , 31 , 33 , 35 – 38 , 41 – 44 , 47 – 49 , 51 , 52 ] and unspecified family caregivers more broadly—which could include parents, but the term was more broadly defined (n = 7, 23%) [ 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 32 , 39 , 50 ]. One study was specific to mothers [ 40 ] and one study was specific to fathers [ 45 ].…”

“…One study was specific to mothers [ 40 ] and one study was specific to fathers [ 45 ]. Few studies reported additional perspectives from members of the clinical care team (e.g., nurses, primary care physicians) (n = 3, 10%) [ 29 , 34 , 50 ] or critical care patients (n = 3, 10%) [ 22 , 28 , 49 ]. More than half of the studies examined real-time communication platforms (e.g., FaceTime, Skype) (n = 17, 55%) [ 23 , 24 , 28 , 30 – 40 , 47 , 51 , 52 ], which accounted for many of the studies conducted with adult populations (3/7, 43%) and most of the studies conducted with neonatal or pediatric populations (14/22, 64%).…”

“…primary care physicians) (n = 3, 10%) [29,34,50] or critical care patients (n = 3, 10%) [22,28,49]. More than half of the studies examined real-time communication platforms (e.g., Face-Time, Skype) (n = 17, 55%) [23, 24, 28, 30-40, 47, 51, 52], which accounted for many of the studies conducted with adult populations (3/7, 43%) and most of the studies conducted with neonatal or pediatric populations (14/22, 64%).…”

Recent Advances in Simulation for Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

“…One promising use is for distraction during painful procedures such as burn dressing changes [ 74 ], lumbar punctures, and blood draws [ 75 ] which results in decreasing the amount of sedative or opiate required to complete the task (T3 level outcomes). Some preliminary studies have explored the association between VR and the ICU experience with results showing the potential for decreasing postintensive care syndrome, mitigating anxiety and delirium from prolonged hospitalizations [ 76 ], and encouraging early mobilization [ 77 ].…”

Provider experiences of virtual reality in clinical treatment

“…Providers and patients who have used VR have overwhelmingly positive experiences to share [1,19,20]. Health professionals currently using VR in practice highlight benefits including flexibility, adaptability, and accessibility of the technology.…”