Feasibility and Tolerability of Performing Portable MRI for Neurological Disorders in an Outpatient Neurology Clinic: A Prospective Cohort

ABSTRACT Background Accessing brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be challenging, especially for underserved patients, which may lead to disparities in neurological diagnosis. Method This mixed‐methods study enrolled adults with one of four neurological disorders: mild cognitive impairment or dementia of the Alzheimer type, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson disease (PD), or stroke. Participants were enrolled at the Massachusetts General Hospital outpatient clinic in Boston (01/2021–08/2025) and underwent a point‐of‐care, low‐field portable MRI (pMRI) using a 0.064 T scanner (Hyperfine) and pre‐ and post‐scan surveys. For comparison, all participants had received a standard clinical brain MRI of at least 1.5T. Results Of the 130 participants (54% male, 46% female), the mean age was 60.6 years (standard deviation (SD) = 17.5). 71% reported at least one barrier to MRI care. The median interval between pMRI and standard MRI brain imaging was 48.5 days (25th, 75th percentiles: 26, 112.5). Participants rated pMRI as highly tolerable, with 93% reporting comfort scores ≥ 7 (on a 10‐point scale), and 78% indicating willingness to undergo future pMRI. Mean comfort ratings were significantly higher for pMRI (8.4) compared to traditional MRI (7.5; p < 0.05), though the effect size was moderate ( η 2 = 0.096). No differences in tolerability or comfort were observed across disease, age, or sex groups. Common barriers to standard MRI access included transportation, cost, and scheduling, particularly among low‐income or unemployed participants. Qualitative feedback emphasized the need for better physical accommodations but broadly supported the acceptability and potential uses of pMRI. Conclusion These findings support the feasibility, tolerability, and high patient acceptability of pMRI.