Feasibility of an Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention for Hospitalized Patients: An Observational Cohort Study

Abstract

BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) offers immersive, realistic, three-dimensional experiences that “transport” users to novel environments. Because VR is effective for acute pain and anxiety, it may have benefits for hospitalized patients; however, there are few reports using VR in this setting.ObjectiveThe aim was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of VR in a diverse cohort of hospitalized patients.MethodsWe assessed the acceptability and feasibility of VR in a cohort of patients admitted to an inpatient hospitalist service over a 4-month period. We excluded patients with motion sickness, stroke, seizure, dementia, nausea, and in isolation. Eligible patients viewed VR experiences (eg, ocean exploration; Cirque du Soleil; tour of Iceland) with Samsung Gear VR goggles. We then conducted semistructured patient interview and performed statistical testing to compare patients willing versus unwilling to use VR.ResultsWe evaluated 510 patients; 423 were excluded and 57 refused to participate, leaving 30 participants. Patients willing versus unwilling to use VR were younger (mean 49.1, SD 17.4 years vs mean 60.2, SD 17.7 years; P=.01); there were no differences by sex, race, or ethnicity. Among users, most reported a positive experience and indicated that VR could improve pain and anxiety, although many felt the goggles were uncomfortable.ConclusionsMost inpatient users of VR described the experience as pleasant and capable of reducing pain and anxiety. However, few hospitalized patients in this “real-world” series were both eligible and willing to use VR. Consistent with the “digital divide” for emerging technologies, younger patients were more willing to participate. Future research should evaluate the impact of VR on clinical and resource outcomes.ClinicalTrialClinicaltrials.gov NCT02456987; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02456987 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6iFIMRNh3)

Home to Hospital Live Streaming With Virtual Reality Goggles: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences of Hospitalized Children (Preprint)

“…In addition, in a feasibility study of VR for hospitalized patients being somewhere else was also found to be a benefit. Here, confirming our findings, a patient described VR provides an 'escape' from the confines and boredom of the hospital room [23].…”

“…Together these studies indicate that VR is an effective distracter and a promising non-pharmacological analgesic intervention. Most studies described the use of VR in outpatient settings instead of hospitalized patients [12,22,23]. However, the use of VR at a hospital ward seems feasible and without great side effects [22][23][24][25].…”

“…Most studies described the use of VR in outpatient settings instead of hospitalized patients [12,22,23]. However, the use of VR at a hospital ward seems feasible and without great side effects [22][23][24][25]. A recent systematic review about VR for medical inpatients found it to be efficacious, easy to use, safe and contributing to patient satisfactions [22].…”

Digital health is a cultural transformation of traditional healthcare

“…Use of VR in hospitalized patients significantly reduced pain versus a controlled distraction condition. These results indicate that VR is an effective and safe adjunctive therapy for pain management in the acute inpatient setting (27).…”

Clinical Virtual Reality tools to advance the prevention, assessment, and treatment of PTSD

“…This recognition of the potential impact of VR technology has led to the emergence of a significant, albeit still maturing, research literature that documents the many clinical and research targets where VR can add value relative to traditional assessment and intervention methods. A short list of the areas where Clinical VR has been usefully applied includes fear reduction in persons with specific phobias (Morina et al, 2015; Opris et al, 2012; Parsons & Rizzo, 2008; Powers & Emmelkamp, 2008), treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (Beidel, Frueh, Neer, & Lejuez, 2017; Botella et al, 2015; Difede & Hoffman, 2002; Difede et al, 2007, 2014; Maples-Keller et al, 2017; McLay et al, 2011; Rizzo et al, 2010, 2013, 2017; Rothbaum, Hodges, Ready, Graap, & Alarcon, 2001; Rothbaum et al, 2014), cue-exposure for addiction and relapse prevention (Hone-Blanchet, Wensing, & Fecteau, 2014; Yoon et al, 2014), depression (Falconer et al, 2016), paranoid delusions (Freeman et al, 2016), discomfort reduction in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (Schneider, Kisby, & Flint, 2010), acute pain reduction during wound care and physical therapy with burn patients (Hoffman et al, 2011), other painful procedures (Gold et al, 2006; Mosadeghi, Reid, Martinez, Rosen, & Spiegel, 2016), body image disturbances in patients with eating disorders (Riva, 2011), navigation and spatial training in children and adults with motor impairments (John, Pop, Day, Ritsos, & Headleand, 2017), functional skill training and motor rehabilitation in patients with central nervous system dysfunction (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, etc.)…”