title: A cognitive behavioural approach to preventing anxiety during magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: This study evaluated a relaxation intervention designed to prevent anxiety during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and assessed the development of fears in patients who felt anxious during the procedure. Patients were assigned to a control condition (no intervention; n = 52), relaxation before the scan (n = 44), or relaxation before and during the scan (n = 43). Compared to the control group, patients who practised relaxation showed reduced anxiety during the scan. Seven months or more after undergoing MRI, there was a positive correlation between anxiety experienced during the scan and the development of MRI-related fears. The intervention did not prevent the development of MRI-related fears at follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychology, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lukins
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Davan
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Drummond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome