How Play Is Helping Children Face the Anxiety of an MRI

Sasha Alexander, MS, a clinical researcher at Stanford Medicine, is helping ease children’s anxiety ahead of MRIs used in cerebrovascular evaluations

Before a child enters an MRI scanner at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, Sasha Alexander, wants them to understand what is about to happen.

Alexander, who is a clinical research coordinator II at the Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery, works with young patients to reduce the anxiety that often accompanies advanced imaging, an effort that can lessen the need for anesthesia or sedation.

“I’m really passionate about pediatric neuroimaging and committed to translating research into more proactive and accessible care,” Alexander says.

Her approach relies on preparation rather than reassurance alone. Through the nonprofit Starlight Children’s Foundation collaboration with the LEGO Group, Packard Children’s received 20 LEGO® MRI Scanner models to introduce a play-based kit designed to help children rehearse the experience of an MRI—which Alexander uses in scans used in cerebrovascular evaluations. For many children, the procedure can feel overwhelming: the machine is loud, the space is confined, and remaining completely still can be difficult.

The model is a scaled-down set that mirrors the real equipment. Complete with a scanner, patient bed, waiting area, minifigures and medical accessories, the set invites children to explore the process through play. As they assemble the model and act out the procedure, children become familiar with the experience they will encounter, while the care team encourages questions and conversation.

Child Life Specialists at Packard Children’s Hospital, who focus on the advocacy for and emotional well-being of hospitalized children, use the model during pre-scan preparation. The sessions are structured but informal, allowing children to engage at their own pace. By the time they reach the imaging suite, the machine is no longer an unknown, and for some patients, that familiarity makes sedation unnecessary.

“It’s inspiring to hear how our hospital collaborators help improve the well-being of children through Starlight’s play-based programs,” said Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation. “When kids are happier and more engaged with their care teams, they’re better positioned for healing and recovery.”
 
“The Stanford team has been advancing practical neuroimaging innovations that make scans faster, safer and more clinically useful for children, while also improving their quality of life,” Alexander said. The work, she added, reflects a broader shift toward designing care around the needs of pediatric patients, not just the demands of technology.

At Packard Children’s Hospital, the models are available to patients by request through the Child Life and Creative Arts Department, where specialists tailor the experience to each child’s age, developmental level and medical needs. The kits are often introduced days before a scheduled scan, allowing children time to process what they will encounter.

Alexander is also producing a short film and developing a children’s book based on her own methodologies aimed at raising awareness about pediatric health disparities and the role that preparation and education can play in addressing them. Both projects are intended to encourage broader community involvement and to illustrate how small interventions can have a lasting impact on children’s experiences of medical care.