From Sedation to Simulation: How Virtual Reality is Changing Pediatric MRI

Abstract

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Dafer

Head

Kapoor

, et al. Empowering children through virtual reality: a new alternative to general anesthesia for MRI. Can Assoc Radiol J. Published online December 17, 2025. doi:10.1177/08465371251398724

Wong

Choi

KC.

Effects of an immersive virtual reality intervention on pain and anxiety among pediatric patients undergoing venipuncture: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(2):e230001. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.0001

NHS England. Diagnostic imaging dataset 2021-22 data. 2023. Accessed May, 2024.https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostic-imaging-dataset/diagnostic-imaging-dataset-2021-22-data/

NHS England. Diagnostic imaging dataset 2022-23 data. 2023. Accessed May, 2024.https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostic-imaging-dataset/diagnostic-imaging-dataset-2022-23-data/

Saliba

Boitsios

Preziosi

Negro

De Leucio

Simoni

Virtual reality simulations to alleviate fear and anxiety in children awaiting MRI: a small-scale randomized controlled trial. J Clin Monit Comput. 2025;39(1):183-192. doi:10.1007/s10877-024-01188-5

Vanderby

Babyn

Carter

Jewell

McKeever

PD.

Effect of anesthesia and sedation on pediatric MR imaging patient flow. Radiology. 2010;256(1):229-237. doi:10.1148/radiol.10091124

Lerwick

JL.

Minimizing pediatric healthcare-induced anxiety and trauma. World J Clin Pediatr. 2016;5(2):143-150. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v5.i2.143