Reducing Patient Anxiety in MRI using Acoustic Noise-Modulated Computer Animations: Experience in Pediatric Psychiatric Patients

Acoustic noise is a major source of discomfort and anxiety for patients undergoing MRI examination, and psychiatric patients are especially vulnerable to this stressor. We implemented a simple and low-cost system for patient distraction using visual animations synchronized to the acoustic noise caused by MRI scanner gradients. This multisensory approach, linking sensory to visual inputs, was implemented on a 3 Tesla scanner and tested in 13 pediatric patients with bipolar disorder. Another group of 15 patients received only music as a control. After the scans were completed, all subjects responded to a questionnaire, with the help of their parents, about their scan experience. Analysis shows that the multisensory input was perceived less favorably by the patient despite the scan duration was perceived to be 15% shorter.