About this trial
Claustrophobia, an intense fear of confined spaces, can significantly impair the success of MRI examinations by causing patient movement or early termination of the scan, leading to poor image quality. Cardiac coherence, a breathing technique aimed at synchronizing heart rate and reducing anxiety, has shown benefits in stress management. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether the use of a guided cardiac coherence exercise during MRI can improve exam success rates and image quality in self-reported claustrophobic patients compared to standard care (cartoons for children, music for adults). The primary outcome is the proportion of interpretable MRI scans with good-quality images, assessed blindly by a radiologist. Secondary outcomes include exam duration, use of the emergency call button, patient satisfaction, and perceived comfort. A total of 220 patients aged 7 years and older will be enrolled over 12 months at the Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild Hospital.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Patient aged 7 years or older
Undergoing a 1.5T or 3T MRI scan as part of routine care
Self-reported claustrophobia on the imaging department admission form
Explicit consent to participate in the study, provided by the patient or a legal representative (for minors)
Disqualifiers
Patient under legal protection or guardianship
Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
Inability to complete questionnaires and/or perform the cardiac coherence exercise as judged by the investigator
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- cardiac coherence