Preparing Kids for MRI Using VR

Summary

Children frequently exhibit pre-MRI anxiety that can cause motion, repeated sequences, prolonged room time, and exposure to sedation. Orientation with Virtual Reality (VR) may reduce anxiety by familiarizing children with the scanner environment and expected sensations. This single-center, three-arm randomized clinical trial evaluates whether (1) Home+Booster VR (an age-appropriate 360° VR module at home \~24-48 hours before MRI plus a brief on-site refresher immediately before positioning), (2) Pre-Scan VR only (same module viewed on site immediately before positioning), or (3) Usual Care without VR improves MRI image quality and tolerance in children undergoing their first-ever MRI.

Eligible participants are children scheduled for clinically indicated, non-emergent MRI with no prior MRI experience. Major exclusions comprise MRI contraindications; contraindications to VR use (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy or severe motion sickness); uncorrected severe visual/hearing impairment precluding VR viewing; and inability to provide assent/consent. After consent/assent, participants are randomized 1:1:1 to one of three arms. Anticipated enrollment is \~150 total (\~50 per arm; up to 60 per arm if feasible). All arms receive routine safety procedures and child-oriented coaching per institutional practice. The VR module (\~8-10 minutes) provides a 360° walkthrough of the MRI process (sounds, positioning, keeping still) with child-focused narration. Adherence (timestamps/duration) is recorded where applicable.

The primary outcome is motion artifact rated on a predefined ordinal scale by a board-certified radiologist masked to allocation; the proportion achieving diagnostic quality without repeat/sedation is also reported. Key secondary outcomes include sedation requirement, number of repeated sequences, total scan room time, scan completion without interruption, and change in child anxiety (mYPAS-SF). Additional prespecified measures include comfort/calmness Likert scales, Wong-Baker FACES pain, CEMS during scan, parent state anxiety, satisfaction VAS, physiologic vitals (heart rate, blood pressure, SpO₂) at defined peri-scan time points, observed crying and movement durations, and total scan duration. The trial uses parallel assignment with allocation concealment and masked outcome assessment. Analyses follow intention-to-treat with prespecified subgroup exploration by age bands (5-7 vs 8-10). Recruitment is planned for October 6, 2025; primary completion is expected within approximately three months.

Conditions

• Anxiety
• Sedation
• Child
• Virtual Reality
• MRI

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Virtual Reality Orientation (Home+Booster)

Age-appropriate 360° VR module (\~8-10 min) showing MRI room, sounds, positioning, and the importance of keeping still; viewed at home 24-48 h pre-scan on a smartphone/VR viewer (or flat 360° if no headset), plus a brief booster view on site immediately before positioning (\~3-5 min refresher).

BEHAVIORAL

Virtual Reality Orientation (Pre-Scan Only)

The same 360° VR module (\~8-10 min) viewed once on site in the MRI area immediately before positioning; no home exposure.

OTHER

Usual Care (No VR)

Standard institutional pediatric MRI preparation (verbal explanation, hearing protection demo, child-friendly coaching) without VR.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Haseki Training and Research Hospital

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

5 Years

Max Age

10 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-10-06

Primary Completion

2026-01-15

Completion

2026-03-31