Legato: Virtual Reality for Physical Rehabilitation of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) undergoing prolonged bed rest are at high risk of physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments due to immobility. While early mobilization protocols are critical for rehabilitation, the implementation is hindered by patients’ restricted mobility and the complex ICU environment. To address these challenges, we present Legato, an immersive virtual reality (VR) game designed to enhance mobility activities for ICU patients. Legato offers a calming, customizable environment with thematic styles and music tracks, while providing real-time progress tracking and adaptive difficulty levels tailored to patients’ hand movements. To evaluate its feasibility, we deployed Legato on Meta Quest 3 and conducted a pilot study with an ICU patient at Duke University hospital, demonstrating promising potential for improving rehabilitation outcomes.