Assessment and brief psychological treatment of MRI-related anxiety in children: A controlled study with and without virtual reality simulation

Abstract

Anxiety and claustrophobia frequently occur during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), often leading to sedation, particularly in pediatric populations. This study examined whether a brief psychological intervention delivered prior to MRI was associated with reduced anxiety and claustrophobia in children initially scheduled for sedated scanning. The intervention, grounded in cognitive-behavioral principles, combined psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, and graded exposure, with or without a virtual reality (VR) simulation of the MRI procedure. Seventy-nine children aged 6–12 years were assigned to receive preparation with or without VR. State anxiety (STAIC), claustrophobia (CLQ), and preoperative anxiety (APAIS) were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and sedation requirement during MRI was recorded. Mixed-design ANOVAs showed significant reductions in all outcomes (η 2 p = 0.056–0.132), with no significant Time × Group interactions. Only 5.3% required sedation, with no group differences. In the absence of a no-treatment control group, findings should be interpreted cautiously. Results suggest psychological preparation may reduce anxiety, while VR showed no clear additional benefit.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Health Psychology, 2026 · DOI ↗