Good Health Design, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
Digital Design, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
Radiography (Lond). 2020 Aug;26(3):205-213. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2019.11.004. Epub 2019 Nov 28.
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination is often described by patients as frightening and uncomfortable. To prepare patients for an MRI examination, this study explored the use of virtual reality (VR) simulation compared to a mock MRI scan (full-scale MRI machine replica, without internal magnets).
Twenty participants underwent a VR and a mock MRI scan. Ratings of anxiety and how comfortable and relaxed the participants felt were recorded at five touchpoints during and after each simulation. Post-simulation questionnaires were used to gather responses on the experience and preferences.
No significant differences were found in participants' ratings of how anxious they felt during or between the two simulations (χ2 (9) = 27.269, p = .126), or how relaxed they felt (χ2 (9) = 14.664, p = .101). There were also no significant differences in the reported levels of comfort between the two types of simulation (χ2 (9) = 20.864, p = .013, post hoc tests for all VR versus mock scan rankings p > .05). There were no significant differences in how real the participants thought each simulation felt, or how anxious, relaxed, and comfortable they felt following each type of simulation (p > .05). Although 65% of participants thought the mock simulation felt more real than the VR, 86% found VR simulation to be a helpful way to prepare for a real MRI exam.
VR could be a feasible and accessible alternative to mock scanning. It has the potential to improve patient experiences of potentially stressful MRI examinations.
VR offers clinicians a new cost-effective tool to prepare patients for an MRI examination. VR technology could be used at home, as a training tool, to familiarise clinicians and clinical trainees with the MRI procedure and better understand patients' experiences.
磁共振成像（MRI）检查常被患者描述为可怕和不适。为了让患者为 MRI 检查做好准备，本研究探索了虚拟现实（VR）模拟与模拟 MRI 扫描（全尺寸 MRI 机器复制品，无内部磁铁）的比较。
20 名参与者接受了 VR 和模拟 MRI 扫描。在每次模拟过程中和之后的五个时间点记录焦虑评分以及参与者的舒适度和放松程度。使用问卷调查收集参与者对体验和偏好的反应。
在参与者在两次模拟过程中或之间感到焦虑的程度（χ2 (9) = 27.269，p =.126）或感到放松的程度（χ2 (9) = 14.664，p =.101）方面，没有发现参与者评分的显著差异。在两种类型的模拟之间，舒适度的报告水平也没有显著差异（χ2 (9) = 20.864，p =.013，所有 VR 与模拟扫描排名的事后检验 p >.05）。参与者认为每个模拟的真实感、两次模拟后的焦虑程度、放松程度和舒适度也没有显著差异（p >.05）。尽管 65%的参与者认为模拟扫描比 VR 更真实，但 86%的参与者认为 VR 模拟是为真正的 MRI 检查做准备的一种有用方法。
VR 可能是模拟扫描的可行和可访问的替代方案。它有可能改善患者对潜在压力大的 MRI 检查的体验。
VR 为临床医生提供了一种新的经济有效的工具，可用于为 MRI 检查做准备。VR 技术可在家中用作培训工具，使临床医生和临床受训者熟悉 MRI 程序，并更好地了解患者的体验。
