Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
Published on: July 30, 2009
Parental consent for neuroimaging in paediatric research
Angela T Morgan1, S Reilly, P Eadie
1Language & Literacy Group, Healthy Development Theme, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Vic., Australia. angela.morgan@mcri.edu.au
Insights
Parental consent for paediatric functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is low, with anxiety and perceived necessity being key concerns. Understanding these factors is crucial for future pediatric neuroimaging research recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Paediatric Research
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a growing tool in paediatric research.
- Parental consent is typically required for children's participation in fMRI studies.
- Limited data exists on parental consent rates and decision-making factors for paediatric fMRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the proportion of parents willing to consent to their child undergoing fMRI.
- To identify reasons, motivators, and detractors influencing parental consent decisions for paediatric fMRI.
Main Methods:
- A postal survey was distributed to 90 parents of 6-year-old children.
- The survey collected data on parental willingness to consent and their decision-making rationale.
Main Results:
- 59% of parents responded to the survey.
- Only 34% of respondents indicated they would consent to their child participating in an fMRI study.
- Primary consent motivator: potential future benefit to children (89%). Key detractors: fMRI anxiety (54%) and perceived unnecessary procedure (23%).
Conclusions:
- Researchers may need to approach three times the required number of participants for paediatric fMRI studies.
- Anxiety and understanding of the procedure significantly influence parental non-consent.
- Further research on recruitment strategies and clear communication is needed to improve participation rates in paediatric neuroimaging.
Background:
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is increasingly applied in paediatric research. Parents typically provide research consent for their children; yet, no study has examined the rates of consent, nor factors influencing parental decision making for consent. The present study aimed to determine the proportion of parents that would consent to their child undergoing an fMRI study, and to elicit the reasons, motivators and detractors affecting their decision.
Methods:
Ninety parents of children aged 6 years were invited to participate in a postal survey study.
Results:
Fifty-three parents (59%) responded and one-third (34%, 18/53) reported that they would consent. The main reason for consent was that participation could benefit children in the future (89%, 16/18). Common reasons for not consenting included that fMRI may be anxiety-provoking (54%), or was an unnecessary medical procedure (23%).
Conclusions:
Our preliminary data suggest that researchers may have to approach three times the number of participants required in order to recruit a suitable number of healthy children to fMRI studies. Further research examining the influence of recruitment approaches (e.g. phone vs. postal) and the various factors influencing decision making regarding consent is required. For example, careful examination of the language used in describing the procedure could facilitate parental understanding about fMRI and alleviate anxiety associated with the procedure. This is an important consideration for recruitment to future fMRI studies given that anxiety was a key factor influencing parental non-consent.
