SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Rehabil. Sci.
Sec. Interventions for Rehabilitation
This article is part of the Research TopicInsights in Interventions for Rehabilitation – 2023/2024View all 10 articles
Virtual reality-assisted early mobilization in adult intensive care unit patients: a scoping review
Provisionally accepted
- 1School of Nursing, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang, China
- 2Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang, China
- 3Nanchang University Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang, China
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Objective: This scoping review aimed to systematically map the existing literature on the use of virtual reality (VR) to facilitate early mobilization (EM) in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Specifically, we sought to describe the available VR intervention modalities, detail the implementation protocols, identify the outcome measures used, and summarize the reported findings regarding feasibility and preliminary efficacy signals. Methods: We conducted comprehensive searches across nine major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM) from their inception to April 2, 2025. No start date limit was applied to ensure the maximum possible capture of all relevant literature. Two independent researchers performed study selection and data extraction following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results: The review incorporated a variety of studies, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and case reports. Four primary VR intervention modalities were identified: (1) immersive virtual environments, (2) Wii Fit-based exercises, (3) motion-sensing interactive gaming systems, and (4) screen-based virtual interaction platforms. Outcome measures spanned physical function, cognitive performance, and quality of life indicators. A high degree of heterogeneity was observed in intervention protocols. Feasibility was a common focus across studies, with generally positive patient acceptance reported; safety events were characterized as minor and transient. Preliminary signals of benefit were noted in some studies for mobility and engagement, but evidence remains inconsistent and derived from heterogeneous designs. Conclusion: VR-assisted EM is an emerging rehabilitation approach with potential to address engagement barriers in ICU settings. The field is characterized by a lack of standardized protocols and limited high-quality efficacy evidence. Future research should prioritize: (1) development and evaluation of standardized VR-EM protocols, (2) execution of large-scale, multicenter randomized controlled trials, and (3) investigation of long-term functional outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Keywords: Early Ambulation, Intensive Care, Rehabilitation, Scoping review, virtual reality
Received: 25 Aug 2025; Accepted: 13 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Zhou, li and dong. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: dongyin li
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