Video demonstration or telephone call to alleviate anxiety prior MRI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot single-centre single-blinded randomised controlled trial study to compare the use of video demonstration or telephone interview verses routine intervention to alleviate anxiety in patients prior to MRI
IRAS ID
164623
Contact name
Jenna Allsup
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 18 days
Research summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a branch within medical imaging that uses magnets and radio waves to acquire images. It plays a vital role in the diagnosis, management and surveillance of illness. Patient’s undergoing MRI often experience fear and anxiety prior and during scanning due to various reasons ranging from worries regarding the results of the scan, nervous about the unknown or claustrophobia. Patient’s have often describe the MRI machine as a ‘dark tunnel’ and reported that it feels similar to an experience of being buried alive. If a patient is anxious prior to the scan it can lead to several situations including the scan not being performed, early termination of scan or artefacts on the resultant images. If the patient is anxious within the scanner it can cause movement artefacts but also anxiety exacerbates swallowing reflex and peristalsis and also increase heart rate/respiration and blood flow; all of these could potentially have detrimental effects on image quality and thus a confident/thorough diagnosis. There have been several research papers suggesting and comparing different interventions to improve patient experience during the scanning process and to alleviate anxiety. However, the majority of the interventions explored have either been time consuming, difficult to implement into practice or very costly. This project will look at two interventions that better inform patients prior to MRI which may eliminate misconceptions they have regarding the scanning procedure. The aim of this study is to see whether a DVD or a telephone conversation with a radiographer can help alleviate worries prior to the scan. There have been new scanners developed which are quieter and have a larger bore, but, even though these advancements have seen improvement in patient tolerance of the scan, it does not prove that they have eliminated patient’s vulnerability and anxiety prior to the scan.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
14/WA/1233
Date of REC Opinion
26 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion