The Psychological, Physiological, and Behavioral Responses of Patients to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundMRI is generally well‐tolerated although it may induce physiological stress responses and anxiety in patients.PurposeInvestigate the psychological, physiological, and behavioral responses of patients to MRI, their evolution over time, and influencing factors.Study TypeSystematic review with meta‐analysis.Population181,371 adult patients from 44 studies undergoing clinical MRI.AssessmentPubmed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Quality appraisal was conducted with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Meta‐analysis was conducted via Meta‐Essentials workbooks when five studies were available for an outcome. Psychological and behavioral outcomes could be analyzed. Psychological outcomes were anxiety (State–Trait‐Anxiety Inventory, STAI‐S; 37) and willingness to undergo MRI again. Behavioral outcomes included unexpected behaviors: No shows, sedation, failed scans, and motion artifacts. Year of publication, sex, age, and positioning were examined as moderators.Statistical TestsMeta‐analysis, Hedge's g. A P value <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.ResultsOf 12,755 initial studies, 104 studies were included in methodological review and 44 (181,371 patients) in meta‐analysis. Anxiety did not significantly reduce from pre‐ to post‐MRI (Hedge's g = −0.20, P = 0.051). Pooled values of STAI‐S (37) were 44.93 (pre‐MRI) and 40.36 (post‐MRI). Of all patients, 3.9% reported unwillingness to undergo MRI again. Pooled prevalence of unexpected patient behavior was 11.4%; rates for singular behaviors were: Failed scans, 2.1%; no‐shows, 11.5%; sedation, 3.3%; motion artifacts, 12.2%. Year of publication was not a significant moderator (all P > 0.169); that is, the patients' response was not improved in recent vs. older studies. Meta‐analysis of physiological responses was not feasible since preconditions were not met for any outcome.Data ConclusionAdvancements of MRI technology alone may not be sufficient to eliminate anxiety in patients undergoing MRI and related unexpected behaviors.Level of Evidence1Technical EfficacyStage 5