Nursing in critical care
Intensive Care Unit Patients' Perspectives and Experiences in Using Virtual Reality Technology: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis
By Liao G, Liu Z, Zhang T and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
As Intensive Care Unit (ICU) survival improves, attention has shifted towards patients' psychological well-being and recovery. Although Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used in critical care, patients' experiences of VR interventions have not been comprehensively synthesised.
Aim
To synthesise qualitative and mixed-methods evidence regarding ICU patients' perceptions, experiences and implementation-related considerations associated with VR interventions.
Methods
A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis following Thomas and Harden's three-stage approach was conducted. Eight databases were searched from inception to September 2025. Studies employing qualitative methods or components of mixed methods exploring ICU patients' firsthand VR experiences were included. Methodological quality was appraised using the JBI checklist.