VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU)

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) has shown positive aspects in the rehabilitation of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Thus, the study aimed to understand how VR can bring benefits to patients admitted to the ICU, showing from studies already published the various applications of Virtual Reality in the ICU, corroborating future studies about it and pointing out its benefits. This is a study that has a qualitative content, based on bibliographic studies of sources of published articles. To answer the guiding question "how the use of Virtual Reality can bring benefits to patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit" the databases Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), the SciELO library – Scientific Electronic Library Online and PUBMED searches in journals, theses and dissertations were accessed through the advanced search. Thus, the terms delimiters of the research, "Intensive care unit", "Virtual reality", "Benefit of virtual reality" and "Rehabilitation" were used. Thus, the studies showed a positive effect of Virtual Reality in patients admitted to the ICU, helping in early mobilization, improving the quality of sleep and cognition, and promoting relaxation. Therefore, the use of Virtual Reality in the ICU should be considered as a promising resource for the assistance to this patient profile, favoring them with improved quality of life and even early discharge.