Predictors of panic symptoms during magnetic resonance imaging scans

This study examined the usefulness of a score derived from nine items of Wo lpe and Lang's (1964) Fear Survey Schedule (FSS) in predicting the number o f symptoms consistent with panic reported by a large outpatient sample unde rtaking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The items were those identi fied by Lukins, Davan, and Drummond (1997) as likely to reflect fears assoc iated with the aversive characteristics of the MRI procedure (i.e., noise, confinement, and isolation) and were taken 1 week before the scan. The MRI- related FSS score was a better predictor of symptoms consistent with panic attack during the scan than (a) Rachman and Taylor's(1993) Claustrophobia Q uestionnaire, (b) a score derived from nine FSS items reflecting common com munity fears, or (c) a measure of state anxiety. It is suggested that the b rief MRI-related FSS scale can provide information important for planning p atient management during MRI scans at a time when the information can be mo st useful.