Spiritual and auditory interventions to reduce anxiety and stress during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A patient preference trial.

Abstract

An elevated level of anxiety or stress during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may disrupt both the quality of the images produced by an MRI and the workflow of clinical services. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between different auditory conditions and post-MRI anxiety/stress levels among patients undergoing MRIs using four different auditory conditions (Holy Quran, music, nature sounds, and no sound). A partially randomized, patient-preference study was conducted with 400 participants. Each participant completed the anxiety and stress domains from the Arabic version of the depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21). The results indicate that participants who listened to the Holy Quran during their MRI experienced the lowest anxiety/stress levels, and participants who listened to music demonstrated the second lowest anxiety and stress scores. Participants who selected the Holy Quran recitation or music during MRI reported lower post-MRI anxiety and stress scores compared to other groups.