Reduction of anxiety during MR imaging: a controlled trial

An anxiety reduction protocol was developed and evaluated for routine use w ith neurology and neuropsychiatry patients undergoing brain or spinal scans . Thirty five patients underwent standard procedures, with limited informat ion given in advance. Twenty nine experimental patients received a booklet giving information about the scanning procedure and advice on cognitive str ategies for anxiety reduction, a tape-recorded demonstration of scanner noi se, a visit to the control room before entering the scanner, a device to si gnal for adjustment of music volume, precise timings of each scan, and a cl ock visible during scanning. Anxiety was measured before, during, and after scanning, using subjective ratings and a retrospective version of the Spie lberger State Anxiety Scale. There was no difference in anxiety between gro ups immediately prior to the scan and immediately after entering the scanne r. Patients in the experimental group were significantly less anxious durin g the scan than control patients, as measured by mean anxiety ratings made during the imaging procedure and by retrospective State Anxiety scores comp leted immediately after leaving the scanner. The results show that scan-rel ated anxiety can be reduced by introducing these simple changes to MR imagi ng procedures, with minimal cost, no special training of staff, and no disr uption of the running of the MR Unit. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All ri ghts reserved.