Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an extremely useful tool for the detection and characterization of numerous pathologic processes. Although patients can benefit from the use of MRI, claustrophobia is a major issue in some cases. This fear alone can lead to cancellation of the scanning procedure in some cases and the need for conscious sedation in others. Patient anxiety during the scan can also lead to increased motion-related artifacts on the images with associated degradation of the diagnostic quality of the study. To alleviate these problems, our team developed a virtual reality (VR) tool (app) to educate patients about MRI and simulate the experience of actually being scanned. The app is totally immersive and incorporates both the visual and auditory sensations that patients encounter during an MRI scan. Patients also learn about potential conditions and implanted devices that may preclude the safe performance of the examination. This VR tool not only educates patients about MRI and its importance in their care, but also allows them to virtually experience what it is like to have a MRI scan. This technology has the potential to decrease both claustrophobic cancellations and patient anxiety before a MRI scan.
Highlights
We reviewed the data on claustrophobia in our adult patient population that had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed and assessed the need for conscious sedation in patients undergoing MRI studies
There have been many studies showing that desensitization therapy using virtual reality (VR) as a tool is an effective means of treating phobias [6,7,8,9,10]
There have been many studies showing that desensitization therapy using VR as a tool is an effective means of treating phobias [6,7,8,9,10]
Summary
We reviewed the data on claustrophobia in our adult patient population that had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed and assessed the need for conscious sedation in patients undergoing MRI studies. Others have reported similar findings of claustrophobic cancellations and the need for nurse-assisted conscious sedation in patients undergoing MRI scans, with a range from 3.8% at our center to 14.3% in the literature [1,2,3,4,5]. Our team designed a tool that can be used by patients before undergoing an MRI scanning. The goal was to determine if we can apply the same desensitization techniques used to treat other phobias with VR to patients undergoing MRI scanning. We assembled a team of expert programmers, digital video artists, and physicians to design the tool to educate patients about the risks and benefits of MRI and to let them experience what it is like to be inside the scanner. Using state-of-the-art techniques, the application (app) was made versatile enough to use with either a dedicated VR device or as a downloadable app that can be powered by a standard smart phone worn on an inexpensive headset such as Google Cardboard or any other similar type of device (Figure 1)
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