RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07357389

Virtual Reality for ICU Delirium Prevention

VR for ICU Delirium Prevention

Sponsor

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Enrollment

822 participants

Start Date

Mar 10, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

ICU delirium

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether daily exposure to immersive virtual reality (VR) can reduce the incidence of delirium in high-risk, non-intubated ICU patients. Participants will be randomized to either standard ICU care or standard care plus once-daily 15-minute VR sessions consisting of calming natural scenes, guided meditation, and music. The study population includes adult surgical ICU patients at Cedars-Sinai who are CAM-ICU negative at enrollment and possess at least one established risk factor for delirium. Outcomes will include the incidence and duration of delirium, ICU and hospital length of stay, feasibility of the VR intervention, and the frequency of adverse events. By targeting a high-risk population with an innovative non-pharmacologic therapy, this trial aims to generate data to support integration of VR into ICU delirium prevention protocols.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Individuals who are currently admitted to the SICU at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Expected ICU stay >48 hours
Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) score between -1 to +2.
CAM-ICU negative
≤ risk factor for delirium (Age ≥ 65 years old, history of cognitive impairment, sepsis, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score >5, history of alcohol or benzodiazepine abuse, recent major surgery)

Exclusion Criteria12

Unwilling and/or unable to participate
Intubation of tracheostomy
Self-reported history of severe motion sickness
Inability to follow commands (e.g. severe aphasia, deafness, GCS<13)
The presence of a facial/head deformity that will prohibit the wearing of a VR head mounted device (HMD
Those that require corrective lenses -2.5 or stronger that cannot be corrected with contact lenses
Having had a seizure in the past year
Unable to understand the instructions or to consent to participation in the study.
Those who are pregnant
Hemodynamic instability (MAP<65 despite support)
End-of-life care
Severe agitation or delirium (i.e. CAM-ICU + screen)