# Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Intervention For The Prevention of Delirium & Cognitive Impairment In Geriatric Surgical Patients

> **NIH NIH R03** · METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2022 · $161,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Delirium is an acute fluctuating syndrome of altered attention, awareness, and cognition. Delirium is
highly prevalent, morbid, and costly in elderly critically ill surgical patients. It is also associated with functional
and cognitive impairment. No specific pharmacological therapy or approach exists to target the specific cognitive
domain involved in delirium. However, early cognitive and physical therapy has been shown to decrease the
cognitive deficit, incidence, and duration of delirium. Clinical guidelines recommend multi-component, non-
pharmacologic strategies focused on primary prevention (i.e., preventing delirium before it occurs) in patients at
risk for delirium. These strategies include mobility/exercise, re-orientation, and cognitive stimulation exercises.
Nevertheless, traditional cognitive therapy given to surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients is non–specific, not
customized, and not prioritized due to nursing staff-related issues, documentation burden, time constraints, and
a lack of understanding or appreciation for the evidence supporting cognitive stimulation. Virtual Reality (VR) is
an emerging technology with potential therapeutic including cognitive stimulation in critically ill patients. VR
engages multiple learning systems, making it a more effective natural environment and targeting cognitive
training to specific cognitive domains involved in delirium. We developed a novel, 3D simulated software platform
prototype, "ReCognition" VR, to address these shortcomings to provide VR-based cognitive exercises to
patients for testing in a pilot study. We propose that "ReCognition" VR -based cognitive intervention will prevent
the development of delirium (before it occurs in patients at risk for delirium), short term & long-term cognitive
impairment in critically ill, non-ventilated abdominal surgery patients of age > 60 years admitted to the ICU.
Aim 1: To determine the feasibility, usability & acceptability of "ReCognition" VR-based cognitive stimulation
exercises; Aim 2: To assess pilot outcomes measures (tolerability) for optimal implementation of "ReCognition"
VR-based cognitive stimulation exercises; Aim 3: To evaluate pilot treatment effectiveness outcomes of
"ReCognition" VR-based cognitive stimulation exercises in preventing delirium, short and long-term cognitive
impairment.The GEMSSTAR -R03 award will support a current research project and provide a platform for me
to continue focusing on geriatric-based clinical research and help me become a leader and an independent
physician-scientist to perform clinical research on the delirium and post-delirium cognitive impairment in the
elderly surgical population. This award will specifically provide me the support needed to develop expertise in 2
areas: (1) Modification of Recognition VR based cognitive exercise based on the result of the pilot study (2)
Preliminary data on feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability for the application of VR- b...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10516846
- **Project number:** 1R03AG078857-01
- **Recipient organization:** METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Hina Faisal
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $161,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10516846

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10516846, Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Intervention For The Prevention of Delirium & Cognitive Impairment In Geriatric Surgical Patients (1R03AG078857-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10516846. Licensed CC0.

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