Trial reportBMJ open2026
Use of recreational virtual reality for stress reduction in a psychiatric intensive care unit: findings from a mixed-methods pilot clinical trial.
Trial report in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05654740 (Design of the Virtual Leisure Pilot Study - Virtual Reality Delivered Stress Reduction, Entertainment, and Distraction at a Closed Psychiatric Ward), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Design of the Virtual Leisure Pilot Study - Virtual Reality Delivered Stress Reduction, Entertainment, and Distraction at a Closed Psychiatric Ward
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesTo explore implementation processes, acceptability among participants who engaged with virtual reality (VR), recruitment feasibility and exploratory within-session effects of recreational VR programmes in a closed psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU). The qualitative component focused on patients' and professionals' experiences of VR use, while quantitative measures examined inclusion rates, exploratory within-session changes in emotional distress and descriptive trends in coercive events, pro re nata (PRN) medication, perceived stress and length of hospitalisation during a year with versus a year without VR.
designParallel mixed-methods pilot clinical trial with qualitative priority (QUAL-quan).
settingA Danish closed PICU.
participantsAll admitted patients who consented to participate during a 2-year period were eligible. Qualitative data included semi-structured individual patient interviews (n=9), a focus group discussion with professionals (n=4) and non-participant observations (8 sessions × 20 min). Quantitative data were collected by ward professionals and via electronic health record extraction. A total of 26 patients were included during the VR year and 9 during the control year, reflecting substantial under-recruitment relative to the planned sample (35/124).
interventionsVR programmes for stress reduction, mindfulness, entertainment and distraction, including passive and active activities.
resultsThree overarching themes were generated in a qualitative content analysis: (1)
conclusionsAmong participants who engaged with VR, the use of VR programmes was generally perceived as acceptable and potentially useful in selected clinical situations. However, recruitment feasibility was not achieved, and the study design does not permit conclusions regarding effects on coercion, PRN medication, perceived stress or length of hospitalisation. Integration into standard care appeared possible under selected clinical circumstances, offering therapeutic value for patients and professionals, but it depended on adequate theoretical understanding and training of professionals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05654740.
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