Assessing the utility of an audio visual presentation to reduce anxiety levels in patients having an MRI examination of the brain.

Abstract

Objectives: MR. imaging has become the preferred diagnostic procedure for many conditions as it enables the creation of high resolution images without the use of ionizing radiation_ The scan in itself is a stressful event, and patients show anxiety levels equivalent to those who are about to undergo surgery. Patients undergoing an MRI examination experience anxiety to the point that the procedure has to be modified, postponed or cancelled. The aim of this study was to formulate an anxiety reduction protocol which involved an audio visual presentation to patients who were about to undergo an MRI examination of the brain at a local hospital in Malta. Methodology: The technique used consists of a six minute feature that was played on a Digital Video Disk(DVD) player in one of the equipment rooms near the MRI suite at St Luke's Hospital. The feature includes photographs of the GE MRI machine 1.5 Tesla, the equipment used in the procedure, the ambience and a video clip which visually explains the procedure from the moment the patient steps into the MRl unit till the end. During the feature the researcher explains highlights shown in the video and suggests methods like Systemic Desensitization techniques that could be used by the patient to relieve anxiety, if any, during the examination. The STAI questionnaire was the instrument used to measure the anxiety levels in patients both prior to and after the examination. The study was based on a sample of 39 patients randomly distributed into two groups. One group followed the procedures currently in practice while the experimental group was presented with the audio visual presentation, given advice on anxiety reduction strategies. Results: The results indicated a significant discrepancy between the groups at the beginning of the study, with the experimental group patients suffering from higher anxiety levels than those in the control group. An overview of how the patients were going to be assessed during their examination might have been the cause for such high anxiety levels. After the examination the scores indicated similar values but a significant decrease in anxiety levels from the original levels was recorded from the experimental group. This implies that the audio visual presentation may have a key role -in reducing anxiety levels. Conclusions: On the basis of the findings recommendations are proposed so that with minimal costs such an audio visual presentation will form part of the routine strategy, were all patients scheduled for an MRI examination will be able to view such a presentation on a monitor in the waiting area prior to their examination or on the internet in the comfort of their home.