Anxiety of Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): The Effectiveness of Guided Mental Imagery.

Background: Since magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an extensively used and fundamental diagnostic imaging method and anxiety is one of the most important confounding factors in its performance, using guided imagery is recommended.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of guided imagery on the anxiety of patients undergoing MRI in 2023.

Methods: 88 patients were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group listened to the nature-based guided imagery audio file during their scan, and the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using demographic information and the Spielberger Anxiety Questionnaire before and after the scan.

Results: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups before the intervention regarding demographic data and anxiety. In the intervention group, the mean anxiety decreased from 104.0 ± 14.6 to 92.4 ± 9.0, showing a significant reduction in the level of anxiety in both subscales (state and trait) and the total score (P < 0.001), compared with the control group and before the intervention.

Conclusion: The results showed that using guided imagery could decrease anxiety levels in patients undergoing MRI. Since patients' anxiety is one of the most important nursing diagnoses, performing cognitive methods, including guided imagery, as a simple, safe, inexpensive, and effective intervention should be considered.