Abstract 14908: The Impact of Virtual Reality on Early Rehabilitation in Cardiac Intensive Care Units

Introduction: The early mobilization of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) was shown to be important in patients’ recovery.

Hypothesis: The aim of this study in to investigate the impact of virtual reality (VR) on early rehabilitation in cardiac intensive care units.

Methods: The consecutive patients in adult cardiac intensive care units were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups VR rehabilitation group and control group. The patients in VR rehabilitation group received respiratory, functional training with virtual reality (VR). Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), SF-36, ICU stay and intubation days were collected.

Results: After VR training, the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) showed significant improvement ( p =0.0088) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) also improved significantly ( p =0.0203). Further, VR rehabilitation group also had better Barthel index ( p <0.0001), intensive mobility scale ( p <0.0001), shorter ICU stay ( p =0.0063), and intubation days ( p =0.006).

Conclusions: This study demonstrate VR rehabilitation in cardiac intensive care units improved exercise capacity, Barthel index, intensive mobility scale, ICU stay and intubation days.