Watching a DVD can help people relax when preparing for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a new study has suggested.
Researchers at the University of Manchester found that this could also improve the quality of the scans. Published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, the findings are based on research including 83 outpatients who were due to have an MRI scan.
Participants were divided into two groups and both received the standard MRI Centre information leaflet, but just one was given the study DVD to watch. The DVD contained two sections: one prepared them for the scan, and the other detailed relaxation techniques and encouraged patients to practice the techniques before and during their scan.
They were asked to watch the DVD at least once before their scan. The study found that 35 of the 41 patients who watched the material had satisfactory scan outcomes. In contrast, in the other group with 42 patients, only 23 had satisfactory scans.
Lead author Dr Rachael Powell said: “A successful MRI scan requires the patient to stay completely still as movement can reduce the quality of the image taken and potentially affect diagnostic accuracy.”
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