Disney and Philips bring together beloved storytelling and innovative technology to support kids undergoing MRI exams
Philips and Disney have partnered to integrate Disney stories and characters into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI, aiming to reduce anxiety in children undergoing scans across 87 countries. A study showed a 43% reduction in stress levels and a 63% drop in scan disruptions for children aged 6-10 using this immersive approach, improving both patient comfort and procedural efficiency.
Royal Philips and The Walt Disney Company announced a global collaboration to integrate Disney stories and characters into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI, designed to ease anxiety for children undergoing imaging procedures in 87 countries. The immersive technology, combining audio-visual content with familiar Disney themes, helps shift children’s focus away from the clinical setting, creating a more calming environment during scans lasting up to 40 minutes. MRI scans can be particularly challenging for young children, with 66% reporting anxiety due to the loud noises and confined space. This stress often leads to re-scans, longer procedures, or the need for sedation, straining hospital resources. Philips’ Ambient Experience, now enhanced with Disney content, addresses these issues by providing distraction and comfort. A multi-center study across six European hospitals demonstrated the intervention’s effectiveness. Children aged 6-10 showed a 43% reduction in stress levels post-scan compared to pre-exam levels, while scan disruptions—such as pauses or aborted procedures—dropped by 63%. Emilio J. Inarejos Clemente, a diagnostic imaging specialist at Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona, noted that the immersive approach improved workflow efficiency without compromising care quality. Atul Gupta, Philips’ Chief Medical Officer for Diagnosis and Treatment, emphasized that reducing stress benefits both patients and care teams, enabling clinicians to deliver high-quality imaging to more children daily. Lisa Haines, Disney’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, highlighted the emotional impact of storytelling, describing the collaboration as a way to provide comfort and reassurance during intimidating hospital experiences. The partnership builds on Philips’ existing Ambient Experience technology, which uses child-friendly audio-visual content to create a more engaging MRI environment. By leveraging Disney’s storytelling power, the updated system aims to further normalize the experience for pediatric patients, helping them remain still and complete their scans successfully.
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