2026
Authors
Duarte, CE; Harrison, NB; Correia, FF; Aguiar, A; Gonçalves, P;
Publication
CoRR
Abstract
2026
Authors
Leinylson Fontinele Pereira; Daniel Lima Sousa; José Everton da Silva Fontenele; António Fernando Vasconcelos Cunha Castro Coelho; Silmar Silva Teixeira;
Publication
Journal of Health Informatics
Abstract
2026
Authors
Oliveira, I; Torneiro, A; Ferreira-Coimbra, J; Sampaio, A; Morgenstern, NA; Oliveira, E; Coelho, A; Rodrigues, NF;
Publication
BIOMEDICINES
Abstract
Background: Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), comprising physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments, affects 50-75% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) survivors and leads to long-term deficits. Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a tool to reduce ICU-related stress and support recovery, yet evidence remains fragmented and heterogeneous. Objective: To systematically review the safety, feasibility, and effects of immersive VR interventions targeting PICS-related outcomes in ICU and post-ICU populations, and to introduce a standardized taxonomy to classify and compare VR interventions in critical care contexts. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251174623). Seven databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, SpringerLink, and Scopus) were searched from inception to 2 August 2025. Eligible studies included ICU patients receiving immersive VR via head-mounted displays and targeting at least one PICS domain. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT, 2018). Due to substantial heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Eleven studies were included. The most consistent effects concerned acute psychological outcomes, with 63.6% of studies reporting reduced anxiety or distress. Evidence for physical, cognitive, or long-term outcomes was limited and inconsistent, largely due to small samples, non-randomized designs, and brief intervention dosing. Conclusion: Current evidence supports VR as a feasible adjunct for acute psychological support in ICU settings. However, meaningful rehabilitation effects remain underexplored. The Five-Axis VR-PICS taxonomy clarifies intervention heterogeneity and provides a structured framework to guide rehabilitation-oriented VR research in critical care.
2026
Authors
Cammaerts, F; Tramontana, P; Flores, N; Doorn, N; Fasolino, AR; Marin, B; Paiva, ACR; Vos, TEJ; Snoeck, M;
Publication
Abstract
2026
Authors
Rodrigues, NB; Coelho, A; Rossetti, RJF;
Publication
GRIVAPP
Abstract
2026
Authors
Monteiro, P; Peixoto, B; Gonçalves, G; Coelho, H; Barbosa, L; Melo, M; Bessa, M;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION
Abstract
Handheld controllers are standard in immersive virtual reality (iVR), but the rise of natural hand-based interactions exposes the limitations of hand gestures, especially for point-and-click tasks with graphical user interfaces (GUI). This shows the need to explore alternative hands-free selection methods. Unlike most studies focusing on the selection task itself, this work evaluates the impact of such methods on multiple dimensions when selections occur alongside another primary task. The tested methods were: head gaze + dwell, leaning, and voice; eye gaze + dwell, leaning, blinking, and voice; and voice-only. Controllers served as the baseline. Methods were further analyzed by pointing and confirming mechanisms. Four dimensions were analyzed: (1) iVR experience, (2) user satisfaction, (3) usability, and (4) efficiency and effectiveness. With 72 participants, results show hands-free methods provide comparable experiences to controllers, suggesting selection methods have a lower impact on the user experience when users focus on a primary task.
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