Fear of the MRI scan: how virtual reality helps with claustrophobia during the exam
Claustrophobia causes MRI scans to be delayed, abandoned or repeated. Virtual reality helps prepare the patient before they enter the machine.
A significant share of MRI scans are delayed, abandoned or repeated for a reason that has nothing to do with the machine: the patient cannot bear being inside it. The narrow tube, the intense noise, the obligation to stay still for minutes — for anyone prone to claustrophobia, it is a hard scenario to endure.
Why the MRI scares people so much
An MRI brings together, at the same time, several classic anxiety triggers:
- Enclosed, narrow space — the direct trigger of claustrophobia.
- Required stillness — any movement ruins the image, which raises the tension.
- Loud noise — the machine is noisy and unpredictable.
- Loss of control — being confined and waiting, unable to leave freely.
In more sensitive patients, the result can be a panic attack that forces the exam to stop — with costs in time, repetition and delayed diagnosis.
Where virtual reality comes in
Therapeutic virtual reality acts mainly before the exam, in preparation:
- Prior relaxation — calm environments and breathing techniques help the patient arrive less activated.
- Familiarisation — reducing the surprise effect of what is about to happen makes the experience more predictable and less threatening.
- Distraction and focus — shifting attention from anticipated fear to a pleasant stimulus.
The goal is not to trick the patient — it is to give them tools to better tolerate a necessary exam, avoiding interruptions and repeats.
The value for the imaging service
Every interrupted exam is lost machine time, an appointment to redo and a delayed diagnosis. Helping the patient complete the exam first time has direct clinical and operational value. A calmer patient is also a more still patient — and better-quality images.
Important note: therapeutic virtual reality is a complementary approach, used under the supervision of healthcare professionals. It does not replace clinical assessment or any decision about sedation, which always rests with the healthcare team.
The role of RVer
RVer is an immersive virtual reality therapy system designed for healthcare environments and certified as a Class I Medical Device by Infarmed, in compliance with the European regulation MDR 2017/745. Simple to operate between exams, comfortable for the patient, and with content stored on the device itself — it works without depending on internet — it supports the preparation of anxious patients while collecting no patient clinical data.
Preparing the patient before they enter the machine is often the difference between a completed exam and a lost one.
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