title: Functional magnetic resonance imaging in nursing research.
abstract: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a powerful noninvasive neuroimaging technique nurse scientists can use to investigate the structure and cognitive capacities of the brain. A strong magnetic field and intermittent high-frequency pulses cause protons in body tissues to release energy, which can be recorded and processed into images that are sensitive to specific tissue characteristics. Although temporal and spatial resolution constraints define an upper limit to the precision of magnetic resonance (MR) scanners, the primary index of neuronal activity, hemodynamic response, can be efficiently estimated. Characteristics of the experimental environment, the hypothesis of interest, and the physiology of the cognitive process under investigation provide guidance for the design and limit available options. The processing of functional data to remove unwanted variability is briefly described as are the techniques used to estimate statistical effects and control for the rate of false positives in the results. A detailed applied example of nursing research is included to demonstrate the practical application of the theory, methods, and techniques being discussed. A glossary of key terms is also provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosocial and Community Health Nursing at the University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, 98195, USA. cjohnson@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: L Clark
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Todd L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Kristen H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Archbold
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Landis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology