RecruitingNot Applicable

Virtual Reality Cognitive Intervention for Critically Ill Delirium Survivors (VR-Cog)

United States100 participantsStarted 2026-03-19

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to measure the feasibility, acceptability of virtual reality (VR) brain games and estimate their effect on memory, attention, and mood for ICU survivors. The VR program will be used at home through a headset and hand controls.

Who can participate

Age range

50 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 50 years or older * English speaking * Admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with acute respiratory failure/invasive mechanical ventilation * Screening positive for delirium (using Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale and Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU) Exclusion Criteria: * Acute neurologic injury such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain mass, intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, or central nervous system infection * Chronic cognitive or physical function deficit preventing participation in study interventions or assessments (determined by chart diagnoses and direct participant interview) * Chronic cognitive impairment (including mild cognitive impairment or dementia) identified by chart diagnosis, prescription of anti-dementia medications, or Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly Score (IQCODE) \>3.3 obtained from family caregiver * Severe, uncorrected vision or hearing impairment preventing participation in intervention or outcomes assessments * Admitted with acute alcohol or drug intoxication or withdrawal * Severe, uncontrolled psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder or schizophrenia) * History of severe vertigo, motion-induced sickness, headaches, light sensitivity, seizures, or prior intolerance of virtual reality (VR) * Receiving comfort care measures or not expected to survive the hospitalization * Prisoners or patients unable to provide consent * Not expected to be discharged home from the hospit…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1My family member just had delirium in the ICU — given that this trial is focused specifically on older adult ICU delirium survivors, is their situation and age a good match for what this study is looking for?
2Since this is a feasibility study rather than a phase testing for proven benefit, does that mean we mostly won't know yet whether the VR cognitive training actually improves thinking or memory outcomes — and if so, what would we realistically hope they might gain from joining?
3What does the virtual reality cognitive training actually involve day-to-day — how often would sessions happen, where would they take place, and is that realistic given where my family member is in their recovery right now?
4Since post-ICU cognitive impairment can be serious and ongoing, are there established rehabilitation or cognitive therapy programs already available that we should consider first, rather than a trial that is still measuring whether this approach is even feasible?
5What happens after the trial ends — if the VR training seems to be helping, would my family member have any way to continue it, or would their access stop when the study is over?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Measure the feasibility of VR-Cog in older adult ICU delirium survivors

Timeframe: Feasibility will be measured at 4 weeks (the end of the intervention period)

Measure the acceptability of VR-Cog in older adult ICU delirium survivors

Timeframe: Acceptability will be measured at 4 weeks (the end of the intervention period)

Measure the adherence to VR-Cog in older adult ICU delirium survivors

Timeframe: Adherence will be measured at 4 weeks (the end of the intervention period)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07496255

SponsorIndiana University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-02-15

Contact for this trial

Sikandar Khan, DO, MS

(317) 274-9427 sikhan@iu.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Intensive Care Unit Delirium trials