Respiratory Information Collection and Analysis Sheet (RICAS): A Novel Pre-examination Preparation Protocol for Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Gastric Cancer Patients

Purpose To evaluate the role of the respiratory information collection and analysis sheet (RICAS) on optimizing pre-MRI training, scan efficiency, success rates, and image quality for gastric cancer patients. Method This study enrolled 208 gastric cancer patients who underwent upper abdominal MRI between March 2023 and November 2025. The participants were stratified into two groups: the study group (n = 124), in which patients followed a structured respiratory training and RICAS protocol before MRI examinations, and the control group (n = 84), which received only standard preparatory instructions. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess data normality. Between-group comparisons of pre-examination training efficiency, procedural efficiency, scan success rate, and MRI image quality were conducted using chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests, as appropriate for the data distribution. Results The study group exhibited a higher MRI examination success rate (97.6% vs 90.5%, P = 0.025), shorter pre-examination training time (6.23 ± 3.32 minutes vs 10.15 ± 5.82 minutes, P = 0.001), and faster completion of the MRI procedure (46.06 ± 5.01 minutes vs 51.20 ± 7.68 minutes, P = 0.001) compared with the control group. Additionally, the study group achieved superior image quality outcomes, with both a higher rate of excellent-quality images (88.7% vs 77.4%, P = 0.023) and better mean image quality scores (4.22 ± 0.77 vs 3.82 ± 1.12, P = 0.012) compared to the control group. Conclusion The use of the RICAS before MRI examinations in gastric cancer patients significantly improved pre-procedural training efficiency, shortens scan times, increased examination success rates, and enhanced image quality. These findings support the adoption of RICAS as a standardized tool for optimizing patient preparation in clinical radiological practice.