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Journal article
Do virtual reality interventions cause seizures in the critically ill? A rapid review
Australian critical care, Vol.38(4), 101231
2025
PMID: 40215862
Abstract
Objectives
The objective of this research was to investigate if the use of virtual reality, increasingly utilised within intensive care medicine due to its demonstrated benefits in improving pain and anxiety, has been reported to result in seizures.
Review method used
A rapid systematic review and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data was performed.
Data sources
Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and CINAHL) were systematically searched. An additional gray literature search was also conducted. Articles were restricted to those published on or after January 1st, 2014.
Review methods
The number of participants, virtual reality sessions, and length of sessions was undertaken. Subgroup analysis was undertaken for both adult and paediatric patient populations. An additional subgroup analysis was undertaken on articles which did not exclude individuals with a history of epilepsy. A tailored risk-of-bias assessment was conducted.
Results
Of the 563 articles identified through database and gray literature searching, 27 articles met inclusion criteria. A total of 886 patients have been reported within the literature with a combined 1843 virtual reality sessions, totalling more than 614.64 h of virtual reality. No seizures have been reported within intensive care patients receiving virtual reality interventions.
Conclusions
Historically, individuals with a history of epilepsy and photosensitivity have been commonly excluded from interventions and clinical trials involving virtual reality. The results of this systematic review demonstrate that the risk of virtual reality is minimal when utilised appropriately. A history of photosensitivity or epilepsy should not constitute an absolute contraindication for the use of virtual reality. Instead, clinicians should utilise clinical judgement when evaluating a patient's risk and ensure that appropriate visual experiences are utilised which do not unnecessarily strobe the patient.
Details
- Title
- Do virtual reality interventions cause seizures in the critically ill? A rapid review
- Authors/Creators
- Adrian Goldsworthy - Bond UniversityMohd Fairuz Shiratuddin - Murdoch University, School of Information TechnologyOystein Tronstad - Prince Charles HospitalJohn F. Fraser - Wesley Research InstituteMatthew Olsen - Bond UniversityLotti Tajouri - Bond UniversityKok Wai Wong - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Australian critical care, Vol.38(4), 101231
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd.
- Number of pages
- 8
- Identifiers
- 991005765132707891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Information Technology
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.43 Anesthesiology
- 1.43.1186 Pediatric Pain Management
- Web Of Science research areas
- Critical Care Medicine
- Nursing
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine