Autor:innen:
Ruben Gregorio (Lugano | CH)
Brunella Trapletti (Lugano | CH)
Simona Pertusini (Lugano | CH)
Elisa Soldini Esposito (Lugano | CH)
Pamela Torti (Lugano | CH)
Danira Righetti (Lugano | CH)
Enrico Citriniti (Manno | CH)
Introduction
Stress and consequent burnout have been increasing among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses in the last years, but more specifically during and after the Covid19 pandemic. We are facing a high requirement of nurses in front of increase in early quit profession and work percentage reduction. Virtual Reality (VR) as short virtual mindfulness session, it’s a promising method for many clinical findings, such as delirium prevention, as well as anxiety and stress reduction method. The purpose of this work is to investigate whether the VR can be useful in reducing the stress of ICU nurses and how this method could be implemented in our context.
Methodology
We conducted a literature review in medical databases and summarized the elements of stress and burnout and searched the theoretical principles of VR applied to stress reduction and its possible adverse effects. Subsequently, we proposed the HypnoVR® to ICU nurses in our context, differentiated by sex, age and years of experience. Volunteers did a VR session of ten minutes, choosing one relaxing scenario out of nine possible. Through qualitative research, through semi-structured interviews we evaluated the interest, the impact on nurses’ wellbeing and the possible obstacles to its implementation. Satisfaction was explored using the Numerical Rate Scale (NRS).
Results
Evidence has been found in the current literature, but with few studies, mainly conducted during the Covid19 pandemic, on small numbers and/or promoted by VR companies; the risk of bias was therefore considered. It has been suggested that further studies need to be conducted, with larger numbers and multicenter. The test conducted among eight ICU nurses was received with great enthusiasm, described as relaxing and/or pleasing. Everyone rated the experience at least 7/10 on NRS. As possible obstacles to implementation, everyone cited time and organization issues; five nurses also asked themselves if we, as ICU nurses, are ready to integrate this method in our professional culture, without judgement towards who use it.
Conclusions
Given the great enthusiasm that emerged and the positive findings, both in the existing literature and in our study, an implementation hypothesis will be considered with further research studies.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interests of any type.