Joseph Nano Uncategorized

ICU Virtual Reality Didn’t Lessen PTSD for Families—But Most Said It Helped Them Understand Care

A new randomized trial from three hospitals in Rotterdam tested whether a short, headset‑based virtual‑reality (VR) tour of the intensive care unit (ICU) could ease the psychological toll on patients’ loved ones. The verdict: the VR program did not reduce symptoms of post‑traumatic stress, anxiety, or depression six months after ICU discharge, though most participants said it improved their understanding of ICU care and they would recommend it to others.  

What the study did

Researchers enrolled 189 relatives of 161 ICU patients between January 2021 and April 2022, assigning families to usual care alone (control) or usual care plus a 14‑minute ICU‑VR module viewed during the first ICU visit. The program, filmed from a patient’s eye‑level, explained monitors, ventilators, lines, and daily routines to demystify the environment. Families were followed at ICU discharge and at 1, 3, and 6 months.  

What they found

At six months, rates of probable PTSD (about 21% overall), anxiety (25%), and depression (19%) remained substantial—and did not differ between the VR and control groups. Quality‑of‑life scores were also similar. Charts in the paper show symptoms trending down from discharge to six months in both groups, but without a meaningful gap between them.  

Families still valued the VR

Even without measurable mental‑health gains, relatives endorsed the tool: 90% said they would recommend ICU‑VR to other families; 81% preferred it to printed brochures; ~76% reported it improved their understanding of their loved one’s ICU treatment; and 52% felt it helped them process the experience. No motion‑sickness or other side effects were reported.  

Why it matters

Family members of critically ill patients often carry heavy emotional burdens long after the ICU. This study underscores that reality—and suggests that information alone may not be enough to prevent distress. The authors argue that VR could still play a useful role as part of a multifaceted support strategy (for example, alongside structured communication, flexible visiting, and follow‑up services), especially because it standardizes explanations without adding to staff workload.  

By the numbers (at a glance)

  • Sample: 189 relatives; 100 assigned to VR, 89 to control.  
  • Intervention: 14‑minute, patient‑view VR module; many relatives re‑watched it at home.  
  • Outcomes: No significant differences in PTSD, anxiety, depression, or mental/physical quality of life at 1, 3, or 6 months.  

Context and caveats

Conducted during the early COVID‑19 era, the trial faced visitation limits (some first viewings occurred at home) and typical follow‑up drop‑off (about 60% of VR participants and 49% of controls completed 6‑month surveys). Post‑hoc analyses suggested women and relatives with lower baseline mental health were more likely to report distress early after discharge—signals that could guide targeted support.  

The bottom line

A short ICU VR tour didn’t lower long‑term PTSD, anxiety, or depression for families, but most found it helpful for understanding what happens in the ICU. As hospitals look to better support loved ones of critically ill patients, VR may be most effective as one piece of a broader, person‑centered care plan.

Drop, D. L. Q., Vlake, J. H., Wils, E. J., Van Bommel, J., Jung, C., Hilling, D. E., Bienvenu, O. J., Korevaar, T. I. M., Schut, A. F. C., van Mol, M. M. C., Gommers, D., & van Genderen, M. E. (2025). Effect of an intensive care unit virtual reality intervention on relatives´ mental health distress: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Critical care (London, England), 29(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-025-05281-2