Philips has announced a collaboration with The Walt Disney Company to incorporate Disney characters and storytelling into pediatric MRI examinations through the Philips Ambient Experience platform. The initiative will be deployed across 87 countries and is designed to help reduce stress and anxiety among children undergoing imaging procedures.
The Philips Ambient Experience platform combines lighting, sound, and visual elements to create a more calming environment before and during MRI scans. Under the new partnership, children and families will be able to select from a range of Disney-themed experiences featuring characters and franchises including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel superheroes, and Star Wars.
MRI examinations can be particularly challenging for pediatric patients, who must remain still for extended periods inside a large machine that produces loud noises. According to Philips, approximately 66% of children report feeling apprehensive about MRI procedures. Anxiety and claustrophobia can contribute to scan interruptions, repeat imaging, longer appointment times, and the need for sedation.
“By bringing Disney stories into the MRI environment, we are helping create a setting where children can feel more at ease and remain still during scans,” Atul Gupta, MD, chief medical officer of diagnosis and treatment at Philips, said. “Reducing stress can improve the experience for young patients and their families, while helping care teams deliver efficient, high-quality imaging so they can care for more children each day, supporting better care for more people.”
Philips highlighted findings from a multicenter study conducted across six hospitals in Europe that evaluated the impact of Disney-themed MRI environments among children aged six to ten. The study reported:
A 43% reduction in post-scan stress levels compared with pre-scan measurements
A 63% reduction in examination pauses compared with standard MRI procedures
“The data showed that a child-friendly audio-visual intervention reduced stress levels in young children and decreased scan disruptions, supporting a smoother MRI workflow,” said Emilio J. Inarejos Clemente of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona. “This can help clinicians maintain efficiency and focus on delivering high-quality diagnostic imaging, helping more patients to be seen without compromising care.”
Disney noted that the initiative builds on its broader healthcare engagement efforts, including support for pediatric hospitals worldwide. As part of the collaboration, Disney is providing artwork and imagery for Philips Ambient Experience at no charge.
The Philips platform is currently the exclusive MRI solution offering Disney-themed content. Early implementations include pilot hospitals in Europe, Rady Children’s Health in Orange County, California, and Calderdale Royal Hospital in the United Kingdom.
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