Application of eye and hand interventions in brain magnetic resonance imaging of young children

TL;DR

This study shows that using eye masks and hand restraints during MRI scans improves success rates and image quality in young children.

Contribution

The study introduces a non-sedative method combining eye and hand interventions to enhance MRI outcomes in young children.

Findings

The success rate of MRI was highest in the group using both eye masks and hand aprons (94.9%).

Image quality was best in the group using both interventions, with 69 patients achieving the highest score.

Eye and hand interventions significantly outperformed other methods in MRI success and quality.

Abstract

To explore the feasibility of eye and hand interventions in young children during brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

A total of 414 4- to 6-year-old children who underwent brain MRI at our hospital were randomly divided into 4 groups: the routine posture group (n = 105), eye mask group (n = 102), fixed hand apron group (n = 108), and eye mask and fixed hand apron group (n = 99). All the children underwent brain MRI when they were awake (without using sedatives). The success rate of brain MRI and the quality of brain MR images were compared among the four groups.

The success rate of brain MRI was the highest in the eye mask and fixed hand apron group (94.9 %), followed by the eye mask group (85.3 %) (P < 0.05). The brain MR image quality was the best for children wearing eye masks and fixed hand aprons (5 points, 69 patients), followed by those wearing eye masks (5 points, 53 patients) (P < 0.05).

When children undergo brain MRI, simultaneous eye and hand interventions can greatly improve the success rate of the examination and the quality of MR images. This study protocol was registered at the Chinese clinical trial registry (ChiCTR2100050248).

Figures