Virtual Reality Therapeutic Art for Adult Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Project

Increased stress, anxiety, and depression hinder recovery of hospitalized patients. Mindfulness therapies, which adopt a holistic approach to patient care, reduce anxiety, and depression. This quality improvement initiative evaluated the implementation of a virtual reality (VR) therapeutic art progr...

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Main Authors: Sophina McDaniel, Rachyl Pines, Emily M. He, Faith Collins, Faaizah Arshad, Maria Menendez, Vishnunarayan Girishan Prabhu, Thomas J. Caruso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Patient Experience
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735251330467
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author Sophina McDaniel
Rachyl Pines
Emily M. He
Faith Collins
Faaizah Arshad
Maria Menendez
Vishnunarayan Girishan Prabhu
Thomas J. Caruso
author_facet Sophina McDaniel
Rachyl Pines
Emily M. He
Faith Collins
Faaizah Arshad
Maria Menendez
Vishnunarayan Girishan Prabhu
Thomas J. Caruso
author_sort Sophina McDaniel
collection DOAJ
description Increased stress, anxiety, and depression hinder recovery of hospitalized patients. Mindfulness therapies, which adopt a holistic approach to patient care, reduce anxiety, and depression. This quality improvement initiative evaluated the implementation of a virtual reality (VR) therapeutic art program at Stanford Health Care from February to June 2024, providing an innovative and scalable adjunct to traditional art and music mindfulness therapies. This mixed methods project piloted 84 cumulative hours with 105 participants. Outcomes investigated satisfaction and the impact on hospitalization experience via survey questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results (n = 40) indicated substantial improvements in patient experience, with 85% recommending the program and 97.5% reporting positive impacts from VR engagement. Thematic analysis of open-ended survey responses identified 4 key themes: escape and distraction, therapeutic benefits, enjoyment of the interactive activity, and positive facilitator interactions. Participants also expressed interest in additional VR offerings, including virtual mindfulness, and meditation. The results suggest that VR can serve as an effective adjunct to conventional mindfulness therapies and improve the inpatient experience.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2374-3743
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publisher SAGE Publishing
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series Journal of Patient Experience
spelling doaj-art-fa5939b445bf4af981e886e7240476562025-08-20T03:40:24ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Patient Experience2374-37432025-03-011210.1177/23743735251330467Virtual Reality Therapeutic Art for Adult Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods ProjectSophina McDaniel0Rachyl Pines1Emily M. He2Faith Collins3Faaizah Arshad4Maria Menendez5Vishnunarayan Girishan Prabhu6Thomas J. Caruso7 Office of Patient Experience, , Stanford, CA, USA Office of Patient Experience, , Stanford, CA, USA , Stanford, CA, USA Stanford Chariot Program, , Palo Alto, CA, USA Stanford Chariot Program, , Palo Alto, CA, USA Stanford Chariot Program, , Palo Alto, CA, USA School of Modeling, Simulation and Training, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology, , Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Stanford, CA, USAIncreased stress, anxiety, and depression hinder recovery of hospitalized patients. Mindfulness therapies, which adopt a holistic approach to patient care, reduce anxiety, and depression. This quality improvement initiative evaluated the implementation of a virtual reality (VR) therapeutic art program at Stanford Health Care from February to June 2024, providing an innovative and scalable adjunct to traditional art and music mindfulness therapies. This mixed methods project piloted 84 cumulative hours with 105 participants. Outcomes investigated satisfaction and the impact on hospitalization experience via survey questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results (n = 40) indicated substantial improvements in patient experience, with 85% recommending the program and 97.5% reporting positive impacts from VR engagement. Thematic analysis of open-ended survey responses identified 4 key themes: escape and distraction, therapeutic benefits, enjoyment of the interactive activity, and positive facilitator interactions. Participants also expressed interest in additional VR offerings, including virtual mindfulness, and meditation. The results suggest that VR can serve as an effective adjunct to conventional mindfulness therapies and improve the inpatient experience.https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735251330467
spellingShingle Sophina McDaniel
Rachyl Pines
Emily M. He
Faith Collins
Faaizah Arshad
Maria Menendez
Vishnunarayan Girishan Prabhu
Thomas J. Caruso
Virtual Reality Therapeutic Art for Adult Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Project
Journal of Patient Experience
title Virtual Reality Therapeutic Art for Adult Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Project
title_full Virtual Reality Therapeutic Art for Adult Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Project
title_fullStr Virtual Reality Therapeutic Art for Adult Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Project
title_full_unstemmed Virtual Reality Therapeutic Art for Adult Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Project
title_short Virtual Reality Therapeutic Art for Adult Hospitalized Patients and Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Project
title_sort virtual reality therapeutic art for adult hospitalized patients and caregivers a mixed methods project
url https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735251330467
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