Effects of a standardized information booklet on patient anxiety and
satisfaction with information at magnetic resonance imaging: a
randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trail
Abstract
Rationale, aims and objectives; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be
perceived as unpleasant even though the examination is noninvasive.
Patients’ knowledge of the MRI procedure is usually scarce, which might
enhance patient anxiety at the examination. The aims of this randomized
single-blind placebo-controlled trial were to investigate the effects on
anxiety and satisfaction with information of a standardized booklet on
MRI compared to a placebo booklet delivered to adult patients prior to
their first MRI examination. Method; The intervention group (n=95)
received a standardized booklet prior to MRI, while the control group
(n=102) received a placebo booklet in the same size and lay out but
containing general information. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
with supplementary questions from the Quality from the Patient’s
Perspective questionnaire were used as the patient-reported outcome
measures. Results; There was no significant difference in anxiety
between the groups, either prior to MRI or during the examination, but
those who received the placebo booklet were at higher risk of
experiencing high anxiety prior to the MRI examination (odds ratio,
2.64; P=0.029). The intervention group was more satisfied with the
information received (P=0.044), and a majority of participants in both
groups (≥87%) considered it important to obtain information on the MRI
procedure. Conclusion; Standardized written MRI information decreases
the risk of experiencing high anxiety levels before MRI and improves
patients’ satisfaction with the information. Further research is needed
to investigate whether written information prior to MRI is beneficial
not only from the patient perspective but if it can also be proven
cost-effective.