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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Neuroscience

Caregiver perspectives on participation in pediatric neuroimaging research: insights from qualitative focus groups

  • Sydney Olson1,2
  • Carly Reineri Thellman1,2
  • Brooke Demetri1,2
  • Brittney Sholar1,2
  • Sarah Shultz1,2
  1. 1Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
  2. 2Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
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Abstract

Infant functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used in research to identify early emerging biomarkers of neurodevelopmental conditions. Although these methods hold promise for advancing discovery, pediatric MRI research protocols, which often require infants to be scanned during natural sleep, can present a range of challenges for infants and their caregivers. Yet little is known about caregivers’ experiences participating in non-clinically indicated MRI studies with their infants. This study explored caregivers’ motivations for participating in infant MRI research, their experiences during participation, and their suggestions for improving infant MRI protocols. Three semi-structured focus groups were conducted with caregivers of 0-6-month-old infants who participated in a longitudinal MRI study. Thematic analysis revealed that caregivers were primarily motivated by contributing to science and helping other families. Many experienced performance anxieties while attempting to help their infants fall asleep for a scan, but supportive communication from research staff helped reduce these concerns. Caregivers recommended flexible scheduling, clearer procedural expectations, and pre-visit materials to improve preparedness. These findings underscore the importance of family-centered communication in infant neuroimaging protocols.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{olson2026caregiver,
  title = {{Caregiver perspectives on participation in pediatric neuroimaging research: insights from qualitative focus groups}},
  author = {Sydney Olson and Carly Reineri Thellman and Brooke Demetri and Brittney Sholar and Sarah Shultz},
  journal = {Frontiers in Neuroscience},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fnins.2026.1963995},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2026.1963995/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Caregiver perspectives on participation in pediatric neuroimaging research: insights from qualitative focus groups
AU  - Sydney Olson
AU  - Carly Reineri Thellman
AU  - Brooke Demetri
AU  - Brittney Sholar
AU  - Sarah Shultz
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/14
JO  - Frontiers in Neuroscience
DO  - 10.3389/fnins.2026.1963995
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2026.1963995/full
AB  - Infant functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used in research to identify early emerging biomarkers of neurodevelopmental conditions. Although these methods hold promise for advancing discovery, pediatric MRI research protocols, which often require infants to be scanned during natural sleep, can present a range of challenges for infants and their caregivers. Yet little is known about caregivers’ experiences participating in non-clinically indicated MRI studies with their infants. This study explored caregivers’ motivations for participating in infant MRI research, their experiences during participation, and their suggestions for improving infant MRI protocols. Three semi-structured focus groups were conducted with caregivers of 0-6-month-old infants who participated in a longitudinal MRI study. Thematic analysis revealed that caregivers were primarily motivated by contributing to science and helping other families. Many experienced performance anxieties while attempting to help their infants fall asleep for a scan, but supportive communication from research staff helped reduce these concerns. Caregivers recommended flexible scheduling, clearer procedural expectations, and pre-visit materials to improve preparedness. These findings underscore the importance of family-centered communication in infant neuroimaging protocols.
SN  - 1662-453X
SN  - 1662-4548
ER  -