Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Geuens, Sam
• Lemiere, Jurgen
• Nijs, Jessica
• Treunen, Marlies
• Aertsen, Michael
• Toelen, Jaan
• Pauwels, Greet
• Sauer, Kate
• Potoms, Marlies
• Van Cauter, Sofie
• Wouters, Leen
• Hohlbaum, Kathrin
• Sjölinder, Marie
• Ståhl, Olov
• Buyse, Gunnar
• Demaerel, Philippe
• Weyn, Barbara

Titel

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

Ist Teil von

• Children (Basel), 2023-11, Vol.10 (12), p.1866

Ort / Verlag

Switzerland: MDPI AG

Erscheinungsjahr

2023

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

EZB Electronic Journals Library

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• 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.