New research by the LEGO Group suggest that its MRI Scanner set, which has been given to more than one million children around the world, has helped alleviate stress and anxiety that can be experienced during an MRI scan.
The set, which features a scanner, patient bed, waiting room, scanning room, staff minifigures and medical accessories, was designed by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation to help children understand MRI procedures by learning through play.
"MRI scans are frequently used in pediatric care because they do not use radiation. But for many children, the experience can be overwhelming requiring them to lie still in a large, noisy machine for extended periods," the company said in a news release. "As a result, sedation or general anesthesia is often used."
But the company's recently released data shows that 96% of healthcare professionals globally who used the LEGO MRI Scanner set say the model helps alleviate children’s anxiety, and 46% report that it has reduced the need for sedation or anesthesia during MRI procedures.
Since 2023, more than 10,000 LEGO MRI Scanner sets have been donated to hospitals and health professionals around the world. The sets are not available for sale and are instead donated to hospitals through the LEGO Group’s Social Responsibility team’s partners across the globe including Fairy Bricks, Starlight Children's Foundation and United Way.
