Unclear or inadequate explanations of contrast-enhanced MR imaging exams contribute to patient anxiety, researchers have reported.
The good news is that this anxiety can be mitigated by a thoughtful and thorough pre-exam orientation, wrote a team led by Walaa Alsharif, MD, of Taibah University in Saudi Arabia. The group's findings were published February 19 in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
"[Our study found that] clear communication helped patients feel more prepared and reassured," Alsharif and colleagues noted.
Contrast administration for MR imaging can contribute to patient anxiety and safety concerns, according to the researchers. But patient experiences specific to contrast-enhanced MRI exams remain underexplored, they wrote. The investigators conducted a questionnaire-based study with follow-up patient interviews to assess patients' anxiety levels and safety perceptions for these types of exams.
The study included 203 adult patients who underwent contrast-enhanced MR imaging with a 1.5-tesla system; of these, 28 participated in follow-up interviews. The survey consisted of 31 questions that covered demographic characteristics, scan-related information, experience with the contrast-enhanced MRI exam -- including any orientation information received -- and anxiety level before, during, and after the exam using a four-point Likert scale.
The team found that women, younger patients, and those with higher education levels expressed higher levels of anxiety. Follow-up interviews revealed that anxiety triggers included fear of sensory discomfort and unknown outcomes, as well as poor clarity of exam information.
The group also noted the following:
- 46% of patients reported increased anxiety during contrast administration.
- 26.1% of patients stated that the information provided about the examination was unclear.
- 35% of patients felt the exam did not meet their expectations based on the information given.
Alsharif and colleagues found that anxiety declined significantly after the examination -- a result that suggests that anticipatory stress may be more intense than the experience itself.
"Empathetic communication and clarity were perceived as essential anxiety-reducing factors," the team wrote, concluding that the study findings "highlight the importance of improving patient-centered communication and providing simple educational resources to reduce anxiety, enhance comfort, and support positive experiences."
Access the full study here.
