Revolutionizing recovery: The impact of designed digital care therapy on preventing Post-Intensive care syndrome.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the effect of implementing a designed digital care therapy (DCT) program on preventing post intensive care syndrome (PICS) among critically ill patients.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 120 patients in two ICUs at a tertiary hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 60) that received DCT, including interactive games on mobiles and tablets, and a control group (n = 60) that received routine ICU care. Data were collected on physical complications, cognitive disabilities, psychological outcomes, and secondary outcomes related to PICS using validated assessment tools at baseline, during intervention, and at end of DCT program.

RESULTS

DCT group showed a significant reduction in psychological complications (p < 0.01), with reduced anxiety (2.733 ± 3.885), depression (5.966 ± 1.519), and delirium episodes (5 %) compared to control group (10.00 ± 3.434, 6.900 ± 0.959, & 25 %, respectively). Physical outcomes improved significantly (p < 0.01) in DCT group, with higher mean muscle strength (4.83 ± 0.874) compared to control group (3.20 ± 0.996). DCT group also had elevated cognitive functioning scores (94.466 ± 7.695), highlighting its effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, implementing a structured DCT program for critically ill patients was associated with reductions in physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments related to PICS. These findings suggest that DCT may enhance recovery outcomes and contribute positively to the quality of ICU care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: DCT has the potential to enhance recovery in ICU patients by addressing symptoms associated with PICS. Its integration into critical care practices could offer an innovative and accessible approach to rehabilitation, promoting improved physical, psychological, and cognitive outcomes. However, further research is warranted to validate these findings across diverse populations and to establish standardized protocols for its implementation.