Nurses’ Roles in Managing Patient Anxiety Before MRI Scans Using Informative Video

Abstract

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become one of the most essential diagnostic medical imaging techniques. The most common disadvantage of MRI is that patients may feel anxious before the examination, which can negatively affect them, prevent them from attending or completing the examinations, and cause patient movement during the examination, which accordingly results in misinterpretation issues. Recently, several methods have been suggested to reduce MRI anxiety. Our study aimed to examine nurses' roles in reducing the levels of patient anxiety during pre-MRI scans by using informative video. Methods: A cross-sectional and interventional study was conducted among MRI patients in Tabuk City. A convenience sample of 16 patients as the case group and 28 patients as the control group was included. A 2-minute informative video clip containing comprehensive instructions about MRI was recorded by the research team in the MRI room and introduced to patients 30 minutes before the scan in the waiting area. An Arabic version questionnaire (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) was used to measure the pre-MRI-related anxiety of patients in the case and control groups. State-trait anxiety scores were analyzed and compared between groups. Median pulse, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure were also compared between the cases and control groups using a p-value of 0.05. Results:The state anxiety score was significantly higher in cases compared to controls. However, the trait anxiety score was not significantly different between cases and controls. Females showed significantly higher state anxiety scores in the cases than in the controls. Based on the previous MRI experience, the cases group who had undergone a previous MRI had significantly higher state anxiety scores than those in the control group. Based on the educational degree, cases with bachelor's degree had higher state anxiety scores than their counterparts in the control group. Conclusion:The present study showed that the self-made visual tool used by nurses 30 minutes before MRI scan did not reduce the level of anxiety significantly in patients. However, state anxiety scores increased in females, patients with previous MRI experience, and patients with a higher educational degree. Healthcare professionals may need to consider the negative effect of informative video before MRI.

How Different Preparation Techniques Affect MRI-Induced Anxiety of MRI Patients: A Preliminary Study

“…Additionally, the maximum STAI score before both types of preparation, as seen in Table 8 , was 23 for the RP group and 22 for the VP group; these scores are considered to be high. If anxious patients undergo an MRI exam, this may result in motion artifacts, which could influence the scanning outcome; this outcome is similar to previous studies [ 2 , 14 ].…”

“…Additional VP reduces patient anxiety before an MRI scan [ 2 , 10 ]. With this study, we aimed to assess the effects of different preparation methods on the anxiety levels of patients undergoing MRI exams at KAAUH by measuring and analyzing the differences in anxiety levels before and after RP and VP using the STAI.…”

“…In addition, each patient’s referral indication was unknown. This affected the investigation because the leading cause of pre-scan anxiety is influenced by the purpose of the exam [ 2 , 3 ]; hence, it is reasonable to assume that a referral indication such as cancer would increase patients’ anxiety. However, the questionnaire has high validity and reliability which were tested first.…”

“…MRI has evolved as one of the most important diagnostic imaging techniques. In addition, MRI is the modality of choice for imaging abnormalities due to its superior illustration and contrast of soft tissues [ 1 , 2 ]. It is also thought to be biologically safe and pain free [ 3 ], in contrast to computed tomography (CT) and X-ray procedures [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…Up to 37% of MRI patients suffer from moderate to high anxiety [ 10 ]. The narrow scanner, noisy sequences, lengthy scan, restricted movement, fear of pain, and expectations of exam results all contribute to patients’ anxiety [ 2 , 3 ].…”