Motion nature projection reduces patient's psycho-physiological anxiety during CT imaging

A growing body of evidence indicates that natural environments can positively influence people. This study investigated whether the use of motion nature projection in computed tomography (CT) imaging rooms is effective in mitigating psycho-physiological anxiety (vs. no intervention) using a quasi-randomized experiment (N = 97). Perceived anxiety and pleasantness of the room were measured using a questionnaire, and physiological arousal was measured using a patient monitor system. A mediation analysis showed that motion nature projection had a negative indirect effect on perceived anxiety through a higher level of perceived pleasantness of the room. A linear-mixed-model showed that heart rate and diastolic blood pressure were lower when motion nature was projected. In conclusion, by creating a more pleasant imaging room through motion nature projection, hospitals can indirectly reduce patient's psycho-physiological anxiety (vs. no image projection) during a CT scan.