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Title: | Testing a Home Solution for Preparing Young Children for an Awake MRI: A Promising Smartphone Application | Authors: | 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 Sjoelinder, Marie Stahl, Olov Buyse, Gunnar Demaerel, Philippe Weyn, Barbara |
Issue Date: | 2023 | Publisher: | MDPI | Source: | Children-Basel, 10 (12) (Art N° 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. | Notes: | Geuens, S (corresponding author), Univ Hosp Leuven, Dept Pulmonol, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. sam.geuens@uzleuven.com; jessica.nijs@uzleuven.be; marlies.treunen@kuleuven.be |
Keywords: | pediatric medical imaging;digital health;MRI | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/42204 | ISSN: | 2227-9067 | e-ISSN: | 2227-9067 | DOI: | 10.3390/children10121866 | ISI #: | 001130545200001 | Rights: | 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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Testing a Home Solution for Preparing Young Children for an Awake MRI_ A Promising Smartphone Application.pdf | Published version | 1.29 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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