Philips and The Walt Disney Company have announced a collaboration that integrates Disney stories and characters directly into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI systems, aiming to improve the experience of children undergoing medical imaging procedures.
The initiative will be deployed in medical facilities across 87 countries and is designed to create calmer, more engaging MRI environments that help reduce anxiety in young patients and support successful completion of scans.
The companies said the integration combines clinical imaging technology with familiar storytelling elements to help shift children’s attention away from the clinical environment during MRI examinations.
MRI scans can be particularly challenging for children, who are required to remain still inside a large, noisy machine for extended periods. According to the release, 66% of paediatric patients report feeling anxious during MRI procedures.
This anxiety can result in longer scan times, repeated imaging, or the use of sedation, all of which increase pressure on clinical teams and limit departmental throughput.
Philips and Disney said the introduction of immersive, child-friendly environments aims to reduce these disruptions while improving the overall patient experience.
A multi-centre study conducted across six hospitals in Europe found that Disney-themed Ambient Experience interventions contributed to measurable improvements in paediatric MRI workflows and patient stress levels.
For children aged 6–10, post-scan stress levels were reduced by 43% compared with pre-exam measurements. The study also reported a 63% reduction in scan pauses compared with procedures without the intervention.
“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, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sant Joan de Deu Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
“This can help clinicians maintain efficiency and focus on delivering high-quality diagnostic imaging, helping more patients to be seen without compromising care.”
The findings highlight the potential operational benefits of patient-centred design in imaging environments, particularly in high-volume paediatric radiology departments.
Philips Ambient Experience for MRI uses lighting, sound and visual design to create a more calming environment before and during imaging procedures.
Within this framework, Disney content is integrated as part of the patient experience layer, offering familiar characters and narratives intended to reduce stress and improve cooperation during scans.
“At Disney, we believe stories have the power to bring comfort and emotional connection to children and families,” said Lisa Haines, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Philips to extend that impact into MRI rooms in a meaningful way – using our beloved stories and characters to help provide moments of escape, normalcy, and reassurance during what can be an intimidating experience for kids in hospitals.”
Philips highlighted its ongoing work in paediatric imaging and care innovation, including developments in monitoring, echocardiology and AI-enabled diagnostic technologies.
The company’s paediatric initiatives include solutions such as Paediatric Coaching, Scan Buddy and Kitten Scanners, which are designed to improve workflow efficiency and enhance the patient experience in clinical environments.
Disney has a long-standing presence in healthcare environments through content and environmental design aimed at improving the experience of children in hospitals.
Philips said early adopters of the Disney-integrated Ambient Experience include pilot hospitals across Europe, as well as Rady Children’s Health in Orange County and Calderdale Royal Hospital and these sites have already reported positive impacts for both patients and clinical staff.
