Magnetic resonance
Paediatric MRI experience
Enriching the paediatric MRI journey with Ambient Experience
The MRI environment can be intimidating for young children, often leading to anxiety while undergoing the procedure, which impacts scheduling flexibility. Ambient Experience transforms MRI exams into a stress-free experience with calming visuals, sounds, and lighting, creating a personalized, welcoming environment. Children gain control by selecting their favorite theme, which helps reduce stress and improve compliance. Research shows children feel 3.6 times less stressed, with a 63% reduction in patient-related scan pauses [1].
Philips Ambient Experience
Enriching the paediatric MRI journey
Ambient Experience in paediatric MRI uses child preparation, positive distraction, and coaching during the scan to reduce children's stress and support a smoother workflow.
Demonstrated results from a clinical study conducted with paediatric patients
3.6x
less stress experienced by younger MRI patients
aged 6-10, when undergoing scans with Ambient Experience compared to a standard procedure [1].
Read more63%
reduction in patient-related pauses during scans
for children aged 6-10, when undergoing scans with Ambient Experience compared to a standard procedure [1].
Read more91%
high-quality diagnostic images obtained
in children aged 6-10, when scanned with Ambient Experience, compared to 69% when scanned without it [1].
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Empowering young patients for an effective MRI exam
Better preparation for children's MRI scans offers economic benefits. By ensuring that children remain calm and informed, the need for additional interventions and related costs is reduced. Efficient scans result in fewer retakes, saving technician time and machine usage, thereby streamlining resources and reducing costs. Most importantly, it empowers children with a positive MRI experience.
- More information on Ambient Experience: Ambient Experience for MR technology - Philips
- Featured solutions to enrich the paediatric MRI journey: Stress reducing pediatric MRI solutions - Philips
Providing children a positive MRI experience
- Improved patient compliance & experience: Reducing stress in paediatric MRI, allows for awake scanning of young patients, enabling children to follow instructions, while preventing healthcare-induced trauma [2,3]
- Awake scanning of young patients: Awake scans shorten wait times, reduce hospital stays, lower costs, decrease risks, and potentially decrease exposure to anesthetic agents [4,5,6]
- Efficient staff workflow: Lower stress levels aid patient preparation, reduce scan interruptions, streamline communication, and support throughput [7,8,9]
A solution designed to comfort
- Active relaxation themes: Ambient Experience accesses thematic content for different age groups, cultures, and personal tastes
- Dynamic lighting, sound, and video: Integrated to provide both positive distraction for the patient and an opportunity to personalize the environment
- Room design, site planning, and project management: Recommendations are provided to optimize the clinical area for a more soothing environment
- Pediatric Coaching: A holistic solution designed to prepare and guide children for their MRI exam that consists of the Scan Buddy app, a Kitten Scanner and In-bore Connect
Image gallery
Watch the one minute video on the Pediatric Coaching solution
Discover how to enrich the paediatric MRI journey
Featured solutions enriching the paediatric MRI journey
Engage and soothe with paediatric themes
Ambient Experience offers paediatric themes to engage and soothe children during MRI procedures. The visuals, gentle sounds, and playful elements are tailored to kids' tastes, aiming to reduce stress and create a calming atmosphere. This helps children feel more comfortable.
A welcoming MRI environment
A welcoming MRI environment helps patients relax and stay still. Ambient Experience offers positive distractions and information. Patients can personalize their experience by selecting room themes or watching content from external devices, giving them a sense of control and comfort during the scan with In-bore Connect.
Guidance during the scan with In-bore Connect
In-bore Connect is integrated with the scanning software to provide real-time immersive video, entertaining and distracting the child during the scan. Paediatric theme characters appear to guide the child through breath holds and scan progress (requires pediatric license) [10].
I feel proud when children enter the exam room for the first time and experience the 'wow' effect. The biggest value is that we can scan them without the additional anxiety associated with needle procedures. It enables us to obtain the necessary images while providing the children with a pleasant experience.
Dr. Dobromiła Barańska
Radiologist
The Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Lodz, Poland
Footnotes
- Vleuten‑Chraibi S, Nauts S, Barańska D, Inarejos Clemente EJ et al (2025) Magnetic resonance imaging related anxiety and workflow: impact of a child‑friendly audio‑visual intervention. Pediatric Radiology
- Ing C, Warner D, Sun L et al (2022) Anesthesia and developing brains: unanswered questions and proposed paths forward. Anesthesiology 136:500–512
- Lerwick J (2016) Minimizing pediatric healthcare-induced anxiety and trauma. World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics 5:143–150
- Runge S, Christensen N, Jensen K et al (2018) Children centered care: minimizing the need for anesthesia with a multifaceted concept for MRI in children aged 4–6. European Journal of Radiology 107:183–187
- Rudder B, Easley S, Robinson A et al (2019) Effects of an MRI Try Without program on patient access. Pediatric Radiology 49:1712–1717
- Vanderby S, Babyn P, Carter M et al (2010) Effect of anesthesia and sedation on pediatric MR imaging patient flow. Radiology 256:229–237
- Cavarocchi E, Pieroni I, Serio A et al (2018) Kitten Scanner reduces the use of sedation in pediatric MRI. Journal of Child Health Care 23:256–265
- Harned R, Strain J (2001) MRI-compatible audio/visual system: impact on pediatric sedation. Pediatric Radiology 31:247–250
- Mastro K, Flynn L, Millar T et al (2019) Reducing anesthesia use for pediatric magnetic resonance imaging: the effects of a patient and family-centered intervention on image quality, health-care costs, and operational efficiency. Journal of Radiology Nursing 38:21–27
- In-bore Connect Pediatric License requires Philips Ambient Experience with In-bore Connect (sold separately).
Disclaimer
Results are specific to the institution where they were obtained and may not reflect the results achievable at other institutions. Results in other cases may vary.