Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging is one of the main imaging diagnostics besides computed tomography, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. Because of its better contrast and spatial resolution, it is excellent in the display of soft tissues compared to the other imaging modalities. It also enables us to take images in different planes. Anxiety is a medical condition of experiencing nervousness, manifested as a bodily response of the autonomic nervous system. Because of the structure of the MR tomograph, MR examinations can provoke anxiety in patients. We have found no research on anxiety during MRI in the Slovenian language. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to provide suggestions, based on a systematic review of the literature, on how radiological engineers can reduce anxiety in patients during MRI examinations. Methods: In the diploma work, we used a descriptive method with a systematic review of the literature. Scientific and professional articles that we found on world wide web represent the literature that we have systematically reviewed. We collected literature from 6th of October 2021 to 22th of October 2021. We started searching for literature in the Slovenian bibliographic databases Cobbis, the Digital Library of the University of Ljubljana, the Digital Library of Slovenia, and the Repository of the University of Ljubljana. We continued our search in global bibliographic databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, MedLine, Springer link, and Google Scholar. Results: We found 28 articles, which fitted all criteria. In the results, we presented in tables the key findings of the scientific and professional articles included in the thesis. We found that we know several ways that can help to reduce anxiety in patients during examinations. The most accessible way is improved communication with the patient, which can be learned through additional training of radiological engineers. Patient-friendly information leaflets describing the whole MR examination procedure are also a useful way to make the procedure more patient-friendly. Besides the information leaflets, patients can also watch a demonstration video on the procedure in the waiting room. Aromatherapy is also a convenient way. There are also more complex ways to reduce anxiety. An adapted MRI scanner is an option, but it presents additional costs for the hospital. Sedation can have negative side effects on the patient, and hypnosis requires additional staff, time, and more cooperation from the patient. We have also found that not every modality is suitable for every patient. Discussion and conclusion: There are several easier and accessible ways, such as improved communication, information leaflets or a demonstration video in the waiting room and aromatherapy. But there are also more complex ways that require time, money and additional staff. These include hypnosis, additional training for radiology engineers, an adapted MRI scanner, and sedation.
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