Testing a Home Solution for Preparing Young Children for an Awake MRI: A Promising Smartphone Application

Children, vol. 10, pp. 1866

Abstract

Thanks to its non-invasive nature and high-resolution imaging capabilities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable diagnostic tool for pediatric patients. However, the fear and anxiety experienced by young children during MRI scans often result in suboptimal image quality and the need for sedation/anesthesia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a smartphone application called COSMO@home to prepare children for MRI scans to reduce the need for sedation or general anesthesia. The COSMO@home app was developed incorporating mini-games and an engaging storyline to prepare children for learning goals related to the MRI procedure. A multicenter study was conducted involving four hospitals in Belgium. Eligible children aged 4-10 years were prepared with the COSMO@home app at home. Baseline, pre-scan, and post-scan questionnaires measured anxiety evolution in two age groups (4-6 years and 7-10 years). Eighty-two children participated in the study, with 95% obtaining high-quality MRI images. The app was well-received by children and parents, with minimal technical difficulties reported. In the 4-6-year-old group (N = 33), there was a significant difference between baseline and pre-scan parent-reported anxiety scores, indicating an increase in anxiety levels prior to the scan. In the 7-10-year-old group (N = 49), no significant differences were observed between baseline and pre-scan parent-reported anxiety scores. Overall, the COSMO@home app proved to be useful in preparing children for MRI scans, with high satisfaction rates and successful image outcomes across different hospitals. The app, combined with minimal face-to-face guidance on the day of the scan, showed the potential to replace or assist traditional face-to-face training methods. This innovative approach has the potential to reduce the need for sedation or general anesthesia during pediatric MRI scans and its associated risks and improve patient experience.

Authors 17

1. Sam Geuens corresponding

   Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

2. Jurgen Lemiere

   Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

3. Jessica Nijs

   Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

4. Marlies Treunen

   Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

5. Michaël Aertsen

   Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

6. Jaan Toelen

   Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

   Affiliation as printed

   University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

7. Greet Pauwels

   AZ Sint-Jan

   Affiliation as printed

   AZ Sint-Jan, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

8. Kate Sauer

   AZ Sint-Jan

   Affiliation as printed

   AZ Sint-Jan, 8000 Brugge, Belgium

9. Marlies Potoms

   Jessa Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Jessa Ziekenhuis, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium

10. Sofie Van Cauter

    Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Centre for Translational Psychological Research TRACE, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, 3600 Genk, Belgium

    Department Medical Imaging, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, 3600 Genk, Belgium

11. Leen Wouters

    Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Centre for Translational Psychological Research TRACE, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, 3600 Genk, Belgium

    Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, 3600 Genk, Belgium

12. Kathrin Hohlbaum Aachen

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany

13. Marie Sjölinder

    RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

    Affiliation as printed

    Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), 103 33 Stockholm, Sweden

14. Olov Ståhl

    RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

    Affiliation as printed

    Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), 103 33 Stockholm, Sweden

15. Gunnar Buyse

    Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

    Affiliation as printed

    University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

16. Philippe Demaerel

    Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven

    Affiliation as printed

    University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

17. Barbara Weyn

    KU Leuven

    Affiliation as printed

    ESAT-PSI, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium