Conference

A Pilot Study of Virtual Reality and Tablet-Based Multi-Domain Training in Healthy Adults to Inform Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Rehabilitation

Inês Oliveira Bruna Reis M. Portela Sofia Tavares João Ferreira-Coimbra Adriana Sampaio Nicolás A. Morgenstern E. Oliveira António Coelho Nuno F. Rodrigues

Jul 2026 · International Conference on Serious Games and Applications for Health · pp. 1-6 · 0 citations · 22 references

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) is a candidate for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) rehabilitation, but the isolate effect remains unquantified. This study evaluates how the gains are driven. Methods: Healthy adults (n = 40) were assigned to: VR Dual-Task (VRCP); VR Cognitive (VRC); Tablet Cognitive (TC); and Tablet Placebo (TP). Protocols involved four sessions; outcomes included Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, digital performance, and heart rate (HR). Results: VRC and TC showed significant MoCA gains (2.90 ± 0.74 and 2.70 ± 1.77, p < 0.001); TP showed none. VRCP demonstrated a near-perfect cognitive-physical gain correlation (r = 0.985) with a mean HR of 105.6 bpm. Within the VRC group, lower education levels correlated with higher VR gains (r = −0.707). Conclusion: While VR and tablets show clinical parity, VR offers superior multi-domain synergy and performance resolution. VRCP may be the most appropriate model for PICS rehabilitation.

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