Affiliations: Abteilung für Klinische und Physiologische
Psychologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10
F 35394 Gießen | Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle
Radiologie, Klinikum Wetzlar-Braunfels, Forsthhausstr. 1–3a, 35578
Wetzlar
Note: [] Korrespondenzadresse: Dr. Mark Zimmermann, Dipl-Psych.,
Abteilung für Klinische und Physiologische Psychologie, Otto-Behaghel-Str.
10F, 35394 Gießen. Tel.: 0641 99-26089; Fax: 0641 99-26099; E-mail:
Mark.Zimmermann@psychol.uni-giessen.de
Abstract: Anxiey in patients undergoing computed tomography or magnetic
resonance imaging Objectives: A significant proportion of patients undergoing either
computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experience
moderate to severe levels of anxiety which sometimes lead to the termination of
the procedure. Methods: We collected several measures of anxiety (observation,
questionnaires, heart rate/blood pressure) in 51 CT-patients and 52
MRI-patients before and after the procedure. Results: The level of anxiety was altogether low for all measures.
The physiological measures showed elevated levels of anxiety before the
examination which returned to normal levels after the examination. Only about
10% of the patients reported strong anxiety or panic during the examination. In
regard to the triggers of anxiety, the patients; concerns about possible
serious diagnostic findings were clearly more important than environmental
factors, negative interactions with the medical staff or waiting for the
examination. MRI-patients altogether experienced more anxiety than CT-patients,
probably due to the more stressful environmental conditions (constriction,
noise). Conclusion: The approximately 10% of patients who experience strong
anxiety or panic should be identified before an examination using a simple
screening questionnaire.l They should then receive special treatment (e.g.
additional information, tranquilizers).
Keywords: Anxiety, diagnostic imaging, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging
