Influence of state anxiety of subjects about to undergo MRI by information of contraindication and prohibition: Examination based on the Self-discrepancy theory and the Uncertainty orientation theory

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine, based on the theories of self-discrepancy and uncertainty orientation, the influence of cognitive characteristics and state anxiety when subjects about to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were informed of the items related to contraindications for and prohibition of the procedure. High levels of certainty orientation and self-discrepancy corresponded to level 4 (“High Anxiety”) of the Japanese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-JYZ) upon evaluation of state anxiety among subjects about to undergo MRI. Those subjects who showed a high level of the certainty orientation and the self-discrepancy when receiving the information and who had no prior experience of MRI demonstrated empirically more readily aroused state anxiety.