Does a Photo Diary Decrease Stress and Anxiety in Children Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging? A Randomized, Controlled Study

Using a randomized trial methodology with two groups, we surveyed 52 school-aged children and their parents to determine if photo-diary education pre-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan decreased prescan stress and anxiety in children. We also examined anxiety and satisfaction with pre-MRI scan education in parents. At baseline, there were no differences in stress and anxiety total or subscale scores by group; total score p = .84 and .46, respectively. Posteducation, there were no differences in total stress or anxiety scores by group (p = .88 and .16, respectively); however, education group children had higher general anxiety (p = .04), that was reflected in greater likelihood to “worry about things,” p = .01. In parents in the education group, there was a trend for perceptions of greater satisfaction with education, less anxiety in their child, and more questions asked by their child (all p = .18); however, parent anxiety was similar between groups. We discuss results, especially the increase in anxiety and provide implications for nursing related to future research and clinical practice.