La realitat virtual per prevenir les alteracions psicològiques associades a la síndrome post cures intensives: assaig clínic. Projecte de recerca

Abstract

Post-intensive care syndrome is defined as a set of physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments that may appear, either together or separately, after an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, affecting up to 70% of survivors. In light of the lack of effective preventive strategies, the present clinical trial aims to evaluate whether immersive virtual reality within the ICU setting may be a useful tool to prevent the psychological disorders associated with this syndrome, which are those that most significantly impact quality of life after discharge. In the present project, a randomized clinical trial is proposed with two groups of 63 participants each, to be conducted with adults admitted to the ICU of the Hospital Universitari Dr. Josep Trueta following scheduled cardiac surgery. The intervention group will carry out daily 15-minute virtual reality sessions using a device that simulates relaxing natural environments, while the control group will receive standard nursing care. The primary outcome variables are anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, pain, and sleep quality, which will be assessed at different time points: Preoperatively, during the first and second days of ICU stay, before ICU discharge, and at two and four months after discharge. It is expected that virtual reality will contribute to a significant improvement in the studied parameters in both the short and long term and promote the well-being of ICU patients, with good acceptance and tolerance

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