Predictors of panic symptoms during magnetic resonance imaging scans

Abstract

This study examined the usefulness of a score derived from nine items of Wolpe and Lang's (1964) Fear Survey Schedule (FSS) in predicting the number of symptoms consistent with panic reported by a large outpatient sample undertaking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The items were those identified by Lukins, Davan, and Drummond (1997) as likely to reflect fears associated with the aversive characteristics of the MRI procedure (i.e., noise, confinement, and isolation) and were taken 1 week before the scan. The MRI-related FSS score was a better predictor of symptoms consistent with panic attack during the scan than (a) Rachman and Taylor's (1993) Claustrophobia Questionnaire, (b) a score derived from nine FSS items reflecting common community fears, or (c) a measure of state anxiety. It is suggested that the brief MRI-related FSS scale can provide information important for planning patient management during MRI scans at a time when the information can be most useful.