Using Virtual Reality Simulation to Prepare Children Undergoing MRI

MRI scans can be difficult for children due to the confined space inside the MRI scanner, the loud noises that MRI scanners produce, and the amount of time that it takes to complete the scan. These factors can lead to a significant amount of distress and anxiety, both for the child undergoing the MRI scan and his or her family. Several techniques have been developed to reduce distress and anxiety in children undergoing MRI scans. Child Life Specialists have been proven to help reduce anxiety in children and better prepare them for MRI scans. Having a Child Life Specialist integrated into the multidisciplinary team treating a pediatric patient ensures that the child's emotional needs are being met as much as his or her physical needs. Evaluation and intervention from a Child Life Specialist reduce anxiety and allows for children and families to be better prepared for their MRI, reducing distress of the child undergoing MRI, and reducing the need for anesthesia. Child life specialists are also able to utilize medical play using mock scanners and coach children in breathing exercises, such as blowing bubbles or pinwheels to help children comply with holding their breath during MRI scans, resulting in clearer images. Child Life specialists play a crucial role in effective communication with families and the rest of the medical team during and after examination. III. Preliminary Studies/Progress Report Another technique that has reduced distress in children during MRI is MRI compatible video goggles, which allow children to watch videos during the MRI scan. Giving children something to focus on while inside the MRI machine helps them to stay still and feel less anxious while still remaining awake. VR is a promising technology that has been used to reduce anxiety and serve as a pain distraction during intravenous placement required for MRI and CT scans as well as with children with sickle cell disease managing vaso-occlusive pain episodes. The inherent immersive and interactive properties of VR games make them effective for pain relief and distraction and also lends VR to countless potential applications in pediatric healthcare. KindVR is an independent VR firm that develops VR software specifically for the use of pediatric patients in a hospital setting. This software has been developed to minimize significant motion, mitigating risk of motion sickness or nausea, and providing targeted, age-appropriate content. There is not yet any published evidence that VR can be used to successfully prepare children for MRI scans, but there is strong evidence that this technology, especially paired with software specifically designed for use with pediatric patients in a hospital setting can impact important outcomes.