Virtual Reality Distraction for Anxiety (VR-IMAGINE at HSJ)

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been known for almost forty years to generate fear and anxiety. Children may become restless during scanning, which results in movement artifacts requiring the MRI to be repeated with sedation. Very few studies seemed to have looked at the effect of immersive virtual reality (IVR) on anxiety in children scheduled for an MRI. Objectives: The aims of this study are two-fold: 1- to address feasibility and acceptability of a pre-procedural immersive VR (IVR) game preparation for anxiety management during MRIs and 2- to examine the efficacy of IVR game preparation compared to usual care for the management of procedural anxiety during MRIs. Methods: This study will first consist of a field test phase with 10 participants, aged 7 to 17 years old, to address the feasibility and acceptability of the use of virtual reality. Following the field test, a RCT will be completed using a parallel design with two groups: 1) experimental group (pre-procedural IVR game preparation), 2) usual care group (standard care as per radiology department's protocol) in an equal ratio of 49 participants per group for a total of 98 participants. Recruitment will be done at CHU Sainte-Justine's, Quebec, Canada. The experimental group will receive a pre-procedural IVR game preparation (IMAGINE) that offers an immersive simulation of the MRI. Participants will complete a questionnaire to assess the acceptability, feasibility and incidence of side effects related to the intervention and the biofeedback device. Data collected will include socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, measures of anxiety with the French-Canadian version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC-F) and the Child Fear Scale (CFS, 0-4). Physiological biomarkers of anxiety such as alpha-amylase and other markers such as heart rate and head deviation will also be measured. Measures of healthcare professionals, parents, and participants' level of satisfaction