Virtual Reality for ICU Delirium Prevention

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.