How to Provide an Optimal MRI Experience for Patients With Anxiety

Survey data from 2015 to 2017 (released in late 2018) showed that some 40 million MRI scans are performed each year in the United States, the highest of any country in the world. For the majority of those people, the scan is relatively unproblematic. Patients are told to lie motionless and to expect to hear some unusual clanks or rattles. If all goes as planned, patients are on their way home or back to work within an hour or so.

However, for the millions of people in the U.S. who suffer from claustrophobia, this experience is hardly unproblematic. HealthResearchFunding.org reports that a study linking MRIs with claustrophobia found that as much as 13% of patients said they had a panic attack during their procedure. For anyone in the health care industry, these stats aren’t necessarily new or novel, but they do underscore the importance of working with patients to manage that fear and anxiety.

Whether the actual scans are taking place under your roof or not, your patients are still your patients and their health could depend on following through with an MRI. If you’re seeing patients who are afraid of undergoing an MRI, these simple tips may help.

1. Consider alternative methods for scanning

It might seem drastic, but if a patient’s claustrophobia is going to negatively impact the efficacy of the scan, it’s up to the practice to find alternative arrangements. Depending on which part of the body you’re scanning, you may be able to keep the patient’s head outside of the bore. Simply having their head free from the bore will help many patients feel more at ease. Putting patients on their stomach should also be considered since the prone position reduces the depth of what patients see of the bore during the procedure.

Of course, the other option is putting patients through an open MRI machine. Because patients are not enclosed in this scenario, the risk of claustrophobia is reduced dramatically. While these machines have been in existence for years, new advancements in the technology behind MRI have made them even more convenient for patients, especially those with claustrophobia.

Because of its open configuration, the Promaxo MRI System* is an ideal solution for patients who are afraid of confined spaces. Unlike traditional MRI machines, our system does not require patients to be inside an enclosed gantry. Instead, they are placed in front of the machine. Promaxo has also eliminated the loud knocking associated with most MRIs, which serves as another significant source of anxiety for many patients.

Promaxo’s system is compact and mobile, allowing it to fit inside your practice. That flexibility enables the patient to receive an MRI in your facility without having to travel to an external imaging center or hospital — and it means more collectibles for your practice.

2. Recognize that not all MRI fears are created equally

While claustrophobia may be the most likely culprit for frightening an MRI patient, it’s certainly not the only one. Fear of the unknown, loud noises, the patient’s size and being alone during the scan are a few others that can ratchet up stress levels. The most important thing to remember is that you must treat each of these fears uniquely, and the best way to do that is through open and honest communication.

Staff should take the time when scheduling the appointment and immediately prior to the scan to explain to the patient exactly what they will experience. This conversation should involve discussing any potential fears or hesitations and how the practice can alleviate those concerns. If you’re doing the scanning, it’s critical that what patients tell you actually informs how you treat them and that you aren’t using a blanket approach for every patient.

3. Peel the curtain back for patients afraid of MRI

Whether it’s claustrophobia, fear of the unknown or any other stressors involved with MRI, allowing the patient to see or hear the equipment can help mitigate those nerves — even if it’s just with a video. Anticipatory anxiety is a very real thing, so going through a brief exercise where the patient can lay on the gurney or listen to the vibration of the machine’s coils should make the actual procedure seem less daunting. In severe cases of claustrophobia, this method can actually confirm whether a traditional MRI is a feasible option for the patient or if an alternative is necessary.

4. Keep the patient’s attention elsewhere

The typical fear cycle for patients with claustrophobia involves seeing the trigger — in this case, the equipment itself — and conjuring up past images of similar situations that were uncomfortable. While it’s not possible for you to force that out of a patient, there are things you can do to direct their attention elsewhere.

Having the patient listen to music during the procedure eases tensions, relaxes the patient and drowns out some of the sounds that intensify feelings of anxiety. In addition to music, staff can try playing serene sounds or broadcasting a movie on the ceiling. Inhalation therapy with soothing scents is another option that works for some patients. If those aren’t effective, asking the patient to count to themselves, recite the lyrics to their favorite songs or focusing on breathing may help them overcome claustrophobia.

While these tips are certainly helpful, the best way to diminish fear of an MRI is to treat the patient to an optimal experience — and we believe Promaxo offers the best MRI experience in the industry. If you’d like to learn more about how Promaxo could benefit your practice, contact us today: https://promaxo.com/contact-us/.

*The device is not cleared by FDA and not available for sale in the United States.