Refaat E Gabr1, Giovana B Zunta-Soares2, Jair C Soares2, Ponnada A Narayana3. 1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, United States of America. Electronic address: refaat.e.gabr@uth.tmc.edu. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, United States of America. 3. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, United States of America.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To reduce patient anxiety caused by the MRI scanner acoustic noise. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We developed a simple and low-cost system for patient distraction using visual computer animations that were synchronized to the MRI scanner's acoustic noise during the MRI exam. The system was implemented on a 3T MRI system and tested in 28 pediatric patients with bipolar disorder. The patients were randomized to receive noise-synchronized animations in the form of abstract animations in addition to music (n = 13, F/M = 6/7, age = 10.9 ± 2.5 years) or, as a control, receive only music (n = 15, F/M = 7/8, age = 11.6 ± 2.3 years). After completion of the scans, all subjects answered a questionnaire about their scan experience and the perceived scan duration. RESULTS: The scan duration with multisensory input (animations and music) was perceived to be ~15% shorter than in the control group (43 min vs. 50 min, P < 0.05). However, the overall scan experience was scored less favorably (3.9 vs. 4.6 in the control group, P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This simple system provided patient distraction and entertainment leading to perceived shorter scan times, but the provided visualization with abstract animations was not favored by this patient cohort.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: To reduce patientanxiety caused by the MRI scanner acoustic noise. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We developed a simple and low-cost system for patient distraction using visual computer animations that were synchronized to the MRI scanner's acoustic noise during the MRI exam. The system was implemented on a 3T MRI system and tested in 28 pediatric patients with bipolar disorder. The patients were randomized to receive noise-synchronized animations in the form of abstract animations in addition to music (n = 13, F/M = 6/7, age = 10.9 ± 2.5 years) or, as a control, receive only music (n = 15, F/M = 7/8, age = 11.6 ± 2.3 years). After completion of the scans, all subjects answered a questionnaire about their scan experience and the perceived scan duration. RESULTS: The scan duration with multisensory input (animations and music) was perceived to be ~15% shorter than in the control group (43 min vs. 50 min, P < 0.05). However, the overall scan experience was scored less favorably (3.9 vs. 4.6 in the control group, P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This simple system provided patient distraction and entertainment leading to perceived shorter scan times, but the provided visualization with abstract animations was not favored by this patient cohort.