THE EFFECTS OF VIRTUAL ART THERAPY ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, DELIRIUM RISK, ANGER, ANXIETY, AND MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL RECOVERY IN INTENSIVE CARE PATIENTS.

THE EFFECTS OF VIRTUAL ART THERAPY ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, DELIRIUM RISK, ANGER, ANXIETY, AND MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL RECOVERY IN INTENSIVE CARE PATIENTS.

Patients in intensive care units experience significant physiological and psychological stress due to life-threatening conditions and invasive treatments. This randomized controlled study aims to examine the effects of virtual art therapy on physiological parameters, delirium risk, anger, anxiety, and mental-spiritual recovery in 62 patients in the coronary ICU of Malatya Training and Research Hospital. Data will be collected using validated scales and analyzed with appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests. The study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of virtual art therapy as a technology-based complementary intervention in intensive care settings.

Patients treated in intensive care units are under both physiological and psychological stress due to life-threatening illnesses, invasive procedures, prolonged stays in isolated environments, and a process full of uncertainty. In coping with this process, alternative and complementary approaches are emerging alongside medical treatment. Virtual art therapy, which has emerged as a result of adapting traditional art therapy practices to digital and virtual environments with technology, is being investigated as a new treatment method to help patients relax and support their physical and mental recovery. The aim of this research is to examine the effect of virtual art therapy on physiological parameters, delirium risk, anger, anxiety levels, and mental and spiritual recovery in intensive care patients. The research will be conducted in the coronary intensive care unit of Malatya Training and Research Hospital. The research population will consist of patients followed in the aforementioned unit. The sample will consist of 62 patients determined by power analysis. After the patients are randomized and assigned to their groups, the experimental group will be asked to paint using virtual reality glasses. The research data will be collected through the Personal Introduction and Monitoring Form, the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, the State Anger Scale, the Integrated Anxiety Scale, and the Mental and Spiritual Recovery Assessment Scale Short Form. Descriptive statistics, Independent Samples t-test/Mann Whitney U test, and Dependent Samples T-test/Wilcoxon test for comparing repeated measures within groups will be used in the evaluation of the data. The research aims to reveal the potential of virtual art therapy to accelerate the mental and emotional recovery of patients beyond traditional treatment methods. It also aims to test the applicability of technology-based alternative treatment methods in intensive care settings where the application area of this therapy is limited. The results of this research, which will show that alternative treatment methods such as art therapy and virtual reality can be used as an effective tool, especially in intensive care units, can make a significant contribution to the fields of nursing and medical treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being 18 years of age or older Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study Having no medical diagnosis that may trigger dizziness Having a score of 14 or higher on the Glasgow Coma Scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusing to participate in the study Having any psychiatric diagnosis Having a medical diagnosis that may trigger dizziness Having a score of 13 or lower on the Glasgow Coma Scale