Mapping the Applications and Impacts of Virtual Reality in Critical Care

OBJECTIVE: To map the applications and impacts of virtual reality in the care of critically ill patients in intensive care units. METHODS: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, where, according to the criteria during the selection stages, it was carried out by 2 independent evaluators. The search was carried out between February and March 2025, in the MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, RCAAP, and HAL databases, initially resulting in 2803 articles, 28 of which were included in the final analysis after applying the inclusion criteria and excluding nonoriginal or non-peer-reviewed materials. RESULTS: The results indicated that virtual reality therapy had a high acceptance rate among patients and was considered safe and effective. However, technical difficulties in using the technology were also identified, as well as the need for more extensive and rigorous studies to assess its impact comprehensively. CONCLUSIONS: The mapped studies suggest that virtual reality has potential as a complementary tool in intensive care, especially in terms of promoting the well-being of patients and professionals, as well as opening up avenues for therapeutic and educational applications. However, there is a need for research with greater methodological rigor, to ensure the robustness of the results and enable replication in different contexts, as well as adaptations that consider diverse cultural, socioeconomic and regional contexts, such as those in Latin America, to ensure that interventions are effective and accessible in different realities.