Emotions towards magnetic resonance imaging in people with multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES: People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) often have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. While MRI can help guide MS management, it may be a source of anxiety for pwMS. We aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire on the "EMotions and Attitudes towards MRI" (MRI-EMA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The questionnaire was developed, tested in two samples of pwMS and validated in a sample of n = 457 pwMS using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

RESULTS: EFA revealed four factors underlying the questionnaire: fear of MRI scan, fear of MRI results, feeling of control over the disease and feeling of competence in the patient-physician encounter. CFA confirmed the model fit. Receiving the MRI results, but not undergoing the procedure was associated with anxiety. Seeing MRI results gave participants a feeling of control over the disease. Only 50% felt competent to discuss MRI findings with their physician. Fear of MRI results was especially high and feeling of competence low in participants with a short disease duration and little MRI experience.

CONCLUSION: PwMS do not feel competent when discussing the role, MRI plays in their care. Receiving MRI results caused anxiety and provides some pwMS with a-perhaps false-feeling of control over the disease. The MRI-EMA constitutes a new tool for the assessments of pwMS' feelings towards MRI, that can be applied in future research and clinical settings.