Tohoku University Cognitive Neuroscience Application Center

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Participant Handling During MRI Experiments

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1. Course Requirements
1.1. Online Content
Read this website and linked pages to understand the basic flow of MRI scanning.
1.2. Practical Training
Learn how to handle participants during MRI experiments through practical exercises. Since procedures may vary depending on the experiment, please check with the experiment supervisor.

2. Online Content

[Guiding Participants into the MRI Room]
● Procedures Before Entering the MRI Room (Performed in the Control Room)

1. If the participant wears glasses or contact lenses, prepare non-magnetic glasses.
   (A vision measurement device is available in the waiting room on the second floor.)
2. Use a checklist to confirm that the participant is not carrying any magnetic objects and does not have braces, metal implants, or bolts inside their body.
   (Remove belts and clothing with excessive metal attachments. Participants should also change out of heat-tech innerwear or any underwear containing metal. Makeup is generally not allowed; makeup remover is available in the MRI room.)
3. If the experiment does not involve auditory stimuli, provide earplugs for the participant.
4. Before entering the MRI room, check for metal objects using a metal detector. Pay particular attention to the face (braces, masks), wrists (watches, bracelets), and waist (belt, pocket contents). Perform a final verbal confirmation.

● Procedures Inside the MRI Room
Provide guidance to ensure the participant feels comfortable and secure.
Standardized phrases are provided in quotation marks for reference.

1. (If the experiment uses auditory stimuli, equip the participant with earphones first.) Fit the participant with noise-reducing headphones.
   “These can be adjusted, so please fit them to your size.”
   「サイズが調節できるのでご自身で合わせてみてください」
2. Ask the participant to lie down on the bed.
   “Please keep your hands and feet uncrossed. Crossing them may cause an electric current and pose a burn risk.”
   「手や足がクロスしないようにしてください。クロスすると、電流が流れてやけどの恐れがあります」
3. Offer a cushion for foot support.
   “Would you like a cushion under your feet? (Show the cushion.) Please lift your feet slightly. Is this position comfortable?”
   「足元にクッションをいれますか？（クッションを見せながら）足を少し浮かせてください。位置は大丈夫ですか？」
4.  Explain the emergency buzzer and task response buttons.
   “This is the emergency buzzer. If you feel any discomfort or need to stop the MRI, press it three times in a row. (Hand it to the left hand.) Please try pressing it once now.”
   「こちらは緊急用ブザーです。体に違和感を感じたり、MRIを止めてほしいときは3回連続で鳴らしてください。（左手に渡して）試しに１度鳴らしてみてください」
   “These are the task response buttons. (Position the participant’s right-hand fingers on the buttons.) These are labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 in this order.”
   「こちらは課題用のボタンです。（右手の指をボタンに合わせて）こちらから1,2,3,4となります」
5. Secure the participant’s head with cushions. Wrap cushions in gauze, squeeze them beforehand, and insert them between the participant’s head and the MRI coil.
   “I will place cushions to stabilize your head. (After inserting) Are the headphones positioned over your ears? Is your hair being pulled?”
   「頭を固定するクッションを入れます。（入れた後）ヘッドホンは耳の正面にありますか？　髪の毛は引っ張られていませんか？」
6. Place the head coil and ensure it is securely fitted.
   “I will place the head coil now.”
   「コイルをかぶせます」
7.  Attach the mirror and ensure it is positioned correctly in front of the participant’s eyes.
   “I am attaching the mirror. Can you see it clearly?”
   「鏡をつけます。鏡は目の前にありますか？」
8.  Raise the bed to the maximum height, then insert it slightly into the MRI scanner.
   “I will move the bed. You will go in a little.”
   「ベッドを動かします。少し中に入ります。」
9. Align the participant’s head position using the light beam. Ensure the light crosses at the “PHILIPS” mark on the mirror.
   “A bright light will shine. Please close your eyes. (Covering with a hand for extra precaution.)”
   「強い光が出るので目を閉じてください。（念のため手でも覆う）」
10. Fully insert the bed by pressing and holding the bed movement button until it stops.
    “Now, I will move the bed inside. You can open your eyes now.”
    「それではベッドを中に入れます。目を開けて大丈夫です。」
11. Confirm that the participant can see the monitor and are comfortable.
    “Can you see the entire screen on the monitor? You must remain still for a long time, so please find a comfortable position.”
    「モニターは画面全体が見えていますか？　長時間、体を動かさないようにしていただくので、楽な姿勢をとってください」

[Imaging Instructions]
(Record the start times of survey, EPI, and T1 scans in the experiment log.)

1. Have the participant press the buttons to check if they respond correctly.
   “First, we will check the buttons. Please press buttons 1, 2, 3, and 4 in order.”
   「初めに、ボタンチェックを行います。1・2・3・4のボタンを順番に押してください。」
2. Conduct a survey scan (a simple scan of the head shape).
   “We will now begin imaging. First, we will take a simple scan of your head shape. There is no task for this scan, but please try to stay still.”
   「それではこれから撮像を開始します。まず初めに、頭の形を簡単に撮像します。これは課題ではないので特に何もしていただかなくで大丈夫ですが、頭と体を動かさないようにお願いします。」
3. Align the head position.
4. Begin EPI scanning.
   “Now, we will start the task. Please perform it the same way as in practice. During scanning, try to keep your head and body still. Are you ready to begin?”
   「それではこれから課題を始めます。練習と同じように行ってください。撮像中は頭と体を動かさないようにお願いします。それではこのまま始めてもよろしいでしょうか？」
5. After each session, ask the participant if they need a break.
   “Good job! This is the end of the first session. Next, we will start the second session. Would you like to take a break before we continue?”
   「お疲れさまでした。これで1セッション目が終了しました。次は2セッション目を始めたいのですが、その前に休憩されますか？それともこのまま続けますか？」
6. If a break is needed:
   (If the participant exits the scanner, a new survey scan is required before resuming.)
   “Would you like to take a break inside the MRI scanner, or would you prefer to step outside?”
   「MRIの中で休憩されますか？それとも外に出ますか？」
7. After preparation, start the next session.
   “Now, we will begin the second session. Just like before, please keep your head and body still during the task. Let’s begin.”
   「それでは今から2セッション目の撮像を開始します。1セッション目と同様に、課題中は頭や体を動かさないようにお願いします。それでは撮像を始めます。」
8. Once all EPI scans are complete, start the T1 scan.
   “Great job! All tasks are now finished. Lastly, we will take a detailed scan of your head shape. This is not a task, so you do not need to do anything, but please remain still.”
   「お疲れ様でした。これで全ての課題が終了となります。最後に頭の形を詳細に撮像します。これは課題ではないので特に何もしていただかなくで大丈夫ですが、頭と体を動かさないようにお願いします。」
9. Remove the participant from the MRI scanner.
10. Clean the bed, cushions, and coil using alcohol wipes.

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