Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has advanced the boundaries of diagnosis and treatment. More than 60 million diagnostic MRI procedures are performed worldwide each year.

MRI is a non-invasive technique that makes images of the human body without the use of ionising radiation. It provides clinicians with easy to read images that may help find tumors and other problems at an early stage, making timely treatment possible.

But while popular with clinicians, conventional MRI systems can be intimidating and a significant number of patients find them disconcerting or claustrophobic. Studies of patients’ anxiety levels during an MRI scan indicate that a quarter experience moderate to severe anxiety. Patients may even refuse vitally important scans. Technicians running scans usually brief patients clearly before beginning the procedure, encourage the patient to think relaxing thoughts, and offer headphones so patients can listen to music. Many departments screen patients for claustrophobia in advance and offer sedation, which has helped reduce the number of people refusing MRI scans and asking for the procedure to stop.

But sedation and relaxation don’t work for everyone.