Critical Illness Recovery

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.

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is characterized by persistent physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments among survivors of critical illness. Although advances in intensive care medicine have reduced mortality, a large proportion of ICU survivors experience long-term functional impairments after discharge. High-dependency units (HDUs) serve as transitional care settings between intensive care units and general wards. Many critically ill survivors who cannot directly return home are transferred to HDU for continued treatment and rehabilitation. However, evidence regarding systematic multidisciplinary rehabilitation interventions in HDU settings remains limited. This prospective single-center interventional study aims to evaluate the effects of an integrated multidisciplinary rehabilitation model implemented in the HDU on physical, cognitive, and psychological outcomes among patients with post-intensive care syndrome. All enrolled patients will receive standardized integrated medical, nursing, and rehabilitation interventions. Multidimensional functional assessments will be conducted at baseline, during hospitalization, and before discharge from the HDU.

This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a Behavioral Health Collaborative Care Model (BH CoCM) for family members of ICU survivors. The intervention includes telehealth-enabled behavioral health assessments and access to the NeuroFlow platform. A subset of participants will undergo qualitative interviews.

Survivors of critical illness are at high risk for mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This single-site, randomized controlled trial at the Medical University of South Carolina will enroll 150 patients to compare outcomes between a behavioral health Collaborative Care Model (BH CoCM) and usual care (attention control). The intervention includes digital tools (Neuroflow), behavioral health coaching, and psychiatric support.

This pilot study investigates the use of wearable health technology and bi-weekly digital health summaries in patients recovering from intensive care. Many patients experience physical, psychological, and cognitive challenges after an ICU stay, a condition known as Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). The study aims to evaluate the feasibility and usability of wearable devices-such as smartwatches, blood pressure monitors, and smart scales-for tracking recovery in real-world settings. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard ICU follow-up care, wearable use only, or wearable use combined with bi-weekly health reports and optional lifestyle consultations. The study will assess participants' quality of life, experience using the technology, and adherence over a 6-month period. Results will inform the future use of digital tools in post-ICU care.