CHILDRENS DISTRESS DURING MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING PROCEDURES

We investigated the epidemiology of pediatric anxiety and distress ass ociated with magnetic resonance imaging procedures (MRIPs). Scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg , & Jacobs, 1983) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children ( Spielberger, Edwards, Lushene, Montuori, & Platzek, 1973), and subject ive ratings of distress associated with MRIP were obtained from 55 ped iatric oncology patients and their parents. Approximately 30% of child ren and their parents reported that MRIP produced significant distress . However, parents' ratings of their child's distress were significant ly higher than children's self-ratings, and agreement between child an d parent pairs was poor. Insertion of an intravenous line was identifi ed as the most aversive component of MRIP by both parents (55%) and ch ildren (38%). The selective application of cognitive-behavioral interv entions for noninvasive diagnostic procedures is suggested.