Neurolinguistic programming used to reduce the need for anaesthesia in claustrophobic patients undergoing MRI

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to assess the success of neurolinguistic programming in reducing the need for general anaesthesia in claustrophobic patients who require MRI and to consider the financial implications for health providers. This was a prospective study performed in 2006 and 2007 at a teaching hospital in England and comprised 50 adults who had unsuccessful MR examinations because of claustrophobia. The main outcome measures were the ability to tolerate a successful MR examination after neurolinguistic programming, the reduction of median anxiety scores produced by neurolinguistic programming, and models of costs for various imaging pathways. Neurolinguistic programming allowed 38/50 people (76%) to complete the MR examination successfully. Overall, the median anxiety score was significantly reduced following the session of neurolinguistic programming. In conclusion, neurolinguistic programming reduced anxiety and subsequently allowed MRI to be performed without resorting to general anaesthesia in a high proportion of claustrophobic adults. If these results are reproducible, there will be major advantages in terms of patient safety and costs.

Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes

“…[24][25][26][27][28] These were conducted in the US, 3 Denmark, 2 UK, 2 Croatia, Brazil, and New Zealand. Targeted health conditions include various anxiety disorders, 6 weight maintenance, morning sickness, substance misuse, and claustrophobia during MRI.…”

“…Delivery of NLP interventions ranged from three studies using a single 1-2 hour session 19,25,28 to the remainder offering 4-20 1-2 hour sessions. Duration of intervention was reported by six studies ranging from 4 weeks, 23 21 days residential, 26 …”

“…24 Six studies described the qualifications and training of the interventionists and these included three clinical psychologists, 19 eight psychotherapists, 21,23 a certified NLP practitioner 22,25 and an NLP practitioner level radiographer. 28 These NLP interventionists were all certified to a minimum of NLP practitioner level with two stated as being master practitioner certified. 21,25 The interventionist training level was better described in the RCTs.…”

“…21,25 The interventionist training level was better described in the RCTs. Intervention techniques reported were mixed with six studies 19,23,[25][26][27][28] employing a wellestablished NLP intervention described in the NLP literature. 29,30 Four studies referred generally to 'NLP techniques' or 'NLP behaviour modification'.…”

Effects of the Neuro-Linguistic Programing Technique Used in the Education Given to Nurses about Central Venous Applications and Blood Culture Collection on Their Knowledge Level

“…After a review of studies in different fields, the following was observed: In the study of Sahebalzamani (25), it was concluded that programs on NLP should be conducted with students because NLP strategies contributed to the development of general health and its various dimensions. In the study of Bigley et al (26) conducted with patients with claustrophobia, anxiety scores of the patients who participated in the NLP sessions decreased significantly. Therefore, it can be said that NLP is not only effective in studies in the field of health but also an effective teaching strategy for in-service trainings.…”