Distraction Strategies Used in Obtaining an MRI in Pediatrics: A Review of the Evidence

Many institutions throughout the United States are sedating pediatric patients ranging in age from newborn through young adults for radiologic imaging during invasive and noninvasive procedures. For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), many patients will require sedation. Some research of the literature has shown that distraction strategies can effectively decrease pain and anxiety and increase patient and parent satisfaction. This article is an initiation of an evidence-based practice project reviewing three articles regarding distraction strategies used for brain MRI imaging for children between the ages of 5 to 7 years without sedation.