title: Evaluation of three psychologic interventions to reduce anxiety during MR imaging.
abstract: The authors compared the effectiveness of three anxiety-reducing interventions for patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. Each of 50 subjects was randomly assigned to one of the interventions. Intervention 1 involved provision of information about the imager and nature of the examination. Intervention 2 included information and counseling. Intervention 3 included information and a 12-minute relaxation exercise. Anxiety levels were measured by means of a 20-item questionnaire before and after imaging. The latter provided a retrospective report of anxiety experienced during imaging. Patients in intervention group 3 showed significantly less increase in anxiety compared with those in groups 1 and 2. Overall, only patients who participated in intervention 1 showed a significant increase in anxiety during imaging. When anxiety levels experienced before and during the examination were compared, with the focus on each questionnaire item for each group, those in group 1 showed a significant increase in anxiety on eight of 20 items; those in group 2, three items; and those in group 3, none. Psychologic preparation that includes relaxation strategies is more effective than provision of information alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Quirk
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Letendre
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ciottone
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lingley
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003376:Counseling; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012064:Relaxation Therapy