The overall effects of virtual reality interventions on ICU patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients frequently experience psychological distress, pain, sleep disruption, and motor impairments. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising nonpharmacological adjunct to improve these outcomes, yet existing evidence remains fragmented and inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized recent clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of VR on mental health, pain, sleep, functional outcomes, and delirium in adult ICU patients.