The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if virtual reality (VR) helps improve thinking and memory skills in adults who have stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU). The study focuses on people who needed a breathing machine or stayed in the ICU for several days and are at risk for memory or "brain fog" issues.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does using VR improve a participant's memory, attention, and thinking skills after an ICU stay? * Does the "immersive" feel of a VR headset work better to improve these skills than using a handheld tablet?
Researchers will compare three groups to see how different types of care affect the brain:
* VR-Rehab: Participants use a VR headset to play brain-training games. * Tablet-Rehab: Participants use a handheld tablet to play the same brain-training games. * Standard Care: Participants receive the usual hospital care without digital brain games.
Participants will:
* Play brain-training games for 12 minutes every day for up to one week while in the hospital. * Complete memory and thinking tests with a researcher at the start of the study and again after two weeks. * Answer follow-up questions about their memory and thinking skills for 6 months after leaving the hospital.
Adult patients, 18 years or older
Patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Ventilated patients must be in the post-extubation period
The patient has a projected remaining hospital stay of at least 4 days (assessed by the clinical team)
Severe cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases: mental illness requiring institutionalization; acquired or congenital intellectual disability; known severe brain injuries (e.g., stroke with significant residual deficits); moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (defined by the duration of loss of consciousness/post-traumatic amnesia or documented residual deficits); diagnosed neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease with severe movement impairment, Huntington's disease, severe Alzheimer's disease, or dementia of any etiology that prevents autonomy in daily life at baseline)
The patient uses neuromuscular blocking agents
The patient has a positive CAM-ICU result at the time of initial screening
The patient has active psychotic disorders or suicidal ideation
University of Minho
Lead sponsor
Universidade do Porto
Collaborator
INESC TEC Porto
Collaborator
Virtuleap
Collaborator
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
Collaborator
Centro Hospitalar De São João, E.P.E.
Collaborator