Philips has integrated animated Disney characters and stories into MRI machines to make imaging scans more comforting and engaging for children.
Through the Philips Ambient Experience, the medtech company uses dynamic lighting, sound and video to make people undergoing MRI scans less anxious. The Disney partnership puts a child-focused spin on the technology. A screen at the end of the MRI tunnel, which children can see in a head-mounted mirror, shows characters from Disney properties, including Marvel, Star Wars and its animated princesses.
Calderdale Royal Hospital in the U.K. shared the experience of a seven-year-old patient, Esme, and her mom, Lauren, to communicate the benefits of the technology. Lauren worried Esme would become distracted and try to look around and move, potentially compromising scans that rely on patients to stay still.
“She surprised me because she was completely still during this,” Lauren said. “I think the Philips Ambient Experience with Disney just helped her relax. It gave her something to focus on and be distracted by.”
Philips released a study on the technology last year, linking the presentation of Disney characters to kids aged 6 to 10 years to reduced scan issues and stress. The technology had no significant effect on older kids, who the researchers said are less likely to be stressed or have issues in conventional MRI scanners.
Children in the study chose the first clip they watched. The five-minute clips featured gentle, slow-paced visuals and restricted character movement to the center of the screen, decisions intended to keep children still and able to follow instructions.
The researchers speculated that the videos may have been more engaging to younger kids and suggested further research into clips that interest older children. The selection of clips shared with the publication of the study results only featured original Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse. Animated versions of characters from Marvel and Star Wars, franchises aimed at older children, are now part of the offering.
Six European hospitals enrolled children in the study. Philips is incorporating the Disney feature into MRI machines in 87 countries, naming Rady Children’s Health in Orange County and Calderdale Royal Hospital as early adopters. More than 100 sites in the U.K. are eligible to use the technology at no extra cost to the healthcare service. Disney has provided the art and imagery at no cost.
