MRI as a Stressor: The Psychological and Physiological Response of Patients to MRI, Influencing Factors, and Consequences

Madl J, Janka RM, Bay S, Rohleder N (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

JACR Journal of the American College of Radiology Elsevier BV

DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2021.11.020

Abstract

Objective: Despite being noninvasive and painless, MRI is recurrently associated with stress and anxiety in patients. This adversely affects patient experience and may be associated with negative outcomes for the health care provider. This study examined the psychological and physiological response of patients to MRI and how these response levels relate, the role of different potentially influencing factors, and the relation to procedural outcomes. Methods: Data of 96 patients (mean 48.77 ± 15.11 years; 61.5% female) were included. The patients’ psychological or physiological response was assessed before and after MRI via questionnaires on anxiety, strain, agitation, and mood and salivary α-amylase, and cortisol. Data on potentially influencing factors and outcomes of the clinical workflow were collected via questionnaires. Results: We observed significant improvements of all psychological measures from pre- to post-MRI (all P < .001) but not of the physiological stress markers (all P > .258). The psychological response correlated with levels of cortisol but not α-amylase. The valence of previous MRI experiences was particularly predictive of the patients’ reaction. Stress and anxiety in patients significantly predicted the probability of scan repetitions (Nagelkerke's R2 = .31, P = .011) and scan duration (adjusted R2 = .22, P < .001). Conclusion: These findings imply that various factors contribute to the patients’ response to MRI. Stress and anxiety in patients, in turn, may impact the clinical workflow. Therefore, these factors should be considered in the medical treatment to provide both a positive patient experience and smooth clinical workflows.

Authors with CRIS profile

Janika Madl Lehrstuhl für Gesundheitspsychologie Rolf Matthias Janka Institute of Radiology Nicolas Rohleder Lehrstuhl für Gesundheitspsychologie

Involved external institutions

Siemens AG, Healthcare Sector DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Madl, J., Janka, R.M., Bay, S., & Rohleder, N. (2022). MRI as a Stressor: The Psychological and Physiological Response of Patients to MRI, Influencing Factors, and Consequences. JACR Journal of the American College of Radiology. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2021.11.020

MLA:

Madl, Janika, et al. "MRI as a Stressor: The Psychological and Physiological Response of Patients to MRI, Influencing Factors, and Consequences." JACR Journal of the American College of Radiology (2022).

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