Speech-to-speech Voice-cloning Care (SVCC) to Improve ICU-acquired Anxiety for Critically Ill Patients

A Prospective Study of the Effectiveness of Speech-to-speech Voice-cloning Care (SVCC) to Improve ICU-acquired Anxiety for Critically Ill Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn the effect of Speech-to-speech Voice-Cloning Care (SVCC) on improving ICU-acquired anxiety for critically ill patients. The main question it aims to answer is:

• Can the use of participants' loved ones' voices by nurses in communication while providing care lead to better mental health and clinical outcomes?

Researchers will see if the implementation of SVCC can reduce anxiety and depression and improve clinical outcomes.

Participants will:

• Receive the SVCC intervention until the endotracheal tube (ETT) is removed.
• Keep a diary of delirium, the duration of mechanical ventilation, and ICU stays.

During the SVCC, healthcare will be delivered by nurses who will communicate with participants using the familiar voices of their loved ones, transformed in real-time by an artificial intelligence voice-cloning tool.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Expected mechanical ventilation time > 24 hours;
• Expected ICU stay > 72 hours;
• Language: Chinese;
• Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RAAS) score ≥ -2 points;
• Hemodynamic stability.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe hearing impairment or worse (Grade 3 or higher according to WHO's Grades of hearing impairment);
• Disorders of consciousness or comprehension;
• Mental or psychological disorders that are being treated with medication;
• Head trauma or surgery resulting in an inability to wear earphones.