A system is configured to produce a stress on a subject while performing a magnetic resonance elastography scan in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The system includes an active driver operable to produce an energy configured for a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) process. A passive actuator is configured to be positioned in the MRI system and to be coupled to the subject. The system includes a tube coupling the active driver to the passive actuator to deliver the energy produced by the active driver to the passive actuator, and a strap coupled to the passive actuator. The strap is configured to be disposed around the subject. The strap includes a substantially inelastic material configured to convert the energy delivered to the passive actuator from the tube into shear waves with the subject for use in the MRE process.