Very few people find the process of having an MRI scan a pleasant experience.
The patient is essentially encased in a narrow tunnel surrounded by strange and loud noises, which can feel constrictive and claustrophobic.
The subject also has to stay as still as possible for a prolonged period – which is why up to half of MRI scan attempts under normal circumstances on children under five end in failure.
Because of this, hospitals frequently rely on sedatives or even anaesthesia before scanning children, but these can have their own risks.
It also means that the MRI scans and studies derived from them will not necessarily be recording normal waking brain function.
Now, researchers from King’s College London have come up with an interactive virtual reality (VR) system that they hope will improve the experience and success rate for MRI scans on children and vulnerable adults, including those with cognitive impairments and people suffering from claustrophobia or anxiety disorders.
Dr. Kun Qian, from the university’s School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, said that the idea was based on the simple fact that when a person is immersed in a VR environment, they are unaware of their real-world surroundings.
A special headset and VR environment was designed
To this end, they developed a special light-tight headset that was also able to be used safely inside the MRI scanner.
The user cannot see the inside of the scanner but is instead presented with immersive content that can be changed depending on the individual patient.
The team found that creating a visual representation of building work going on in the virtual environment was good at disguising and accounting for the sounds of the scanner and associated equipment, helping to remove any sense of being inside the scanner.
Another key element is the ability to interact with the virtual environment using eye tracking technology – in other words, simply by looking at different objects within the environment.
The researchers said that this is the first MRI-compatible system to combine a VR display with intuitive interaction in this way.
This could allow an individual to select content, play games, or start or terminate a video link to their companion or carer.
A webcam and microphone system with a display monitor inside the scanner could potentially allow anxious patients to keep in contact with carers during the process.
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