CAM Interventions in MRI

Although CAM modalities have been used as interventions in the MRI environment, literature on the topic has been somewhat limited. This is the reason why I studied​​ the topic​​ ​​ and conducted research on it during my master’s degree studies, which I will discuss later on in this chapter. The current literature and/or research on CAM-based interventions in the MRI environment include music, aromatherapy, breathing techniques, and a variety of other cognitive-based therapies such as guided imagery techniques among others.

The majority of CAM interventions used in the MRI environment focus on the use of cognitive-based interventions and their role in patient anxiety. To better understand cognitive-based interventions, it is important to define cognition and how it relates to MRI anxiety. Cognition is defined as “the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses,” or in short, how people think and their perception51,107. Cognitions have been shown to play a major role in claustrophobia in MRI patients; therefore, cognitive-based interventions are well suited to the MRI environment25,53,108.

A connection between cognitions and MRI anxiety was established in the early development​​ of​​ MRI anxiety interventions. An early case study in 1986 using cognitive interventions was conducted using a combination of progressive desensitization and relaxation techniques, which resulted in reducing the patient’s anxiety and enabling them to complete their MRI examination11. Another study concluded that cognitive-based interventions, such as breathing techniques and guided imagery, were helpful in reducing MRI patient anxiety109.