Interventions to reduce anxiety, distress and the need for sedation in adult patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging: a systematic review

Abstract

Healthcare professionals working with adults undergoing MRI may consider some of the strategies included in this review to implement in their practice to reduce anxiety and increase patient comfort while reducing the need for sedation.

European society of urogenital radiology (ESUR) guidelines: MR imaging of pelvic endometriosis

“…A recent systematic review specifically looked at possible interventions aimed to reduce anxiety, distress and the need for sedation in adults undergoing MRI exams, and confirmed evidence for the benefit of prone scanning in reducing claustrophobia (LE2) [47]. …”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Myocardial Deformation and Scarring in Coronary Artery Disease.

“…Extended information about the MRI procedure together with instructions for relaxing has been shown to decrease anxiety [108][109][110]. Information is intended to calm patients, but it is not always successful and should be given individually and when needed [111]. Information given orally seems to work better than printed material [112].…”

“…That figure is far higher than the 4% of the general population that is reported to experience claustrophobia [114]. Newer MRI scanners cause fewer problems [106], thanks to shorter and wider tunnels and less noisy gradient coils [111]. The design of the scanner has been investigated in several studies.…”

“…Additional ways to achieve patient control are to let the patients decide their position on the examination tabletop and how to enter the tunnel. For patients who are anxious, being supine [111] and entering the tunnel feet first [98] seem to be comforting.…”

MRI and Anesthesia & Sedation

“…But, these methods do not have absolute success to resolve for reduction of anxiety and distress [6].…”