# Anxiety in Healthy Subjects Participating in 7T Examinations--Longitudinal Study
## 5 Discussion  
When comparing anxiety levels between patients and healthy volunteers in a previous study, it was evident that patients experienced higher levels of anxiety. This is likely due to the additional stress of awaiting a diagnosis or monitoring disease progression, which naturally heightens their emotional response to the procedure [11]. The present study expands on these findings by demonstrating that even healthy volunteers who are not anticipating a diagnosis or monitoring a known condition experience some anxiety before undergoing an MRI examination. This indicates that the anxiety associated with MRI examination is not solely linked to medical concerns but also to the inherent apprehensions surrounding the procedure itself. Factors contributing to this anxiety might include fear of the unknown, discomfort with the confined space of the scanner, concerns about the procedure's duration, and worries about potential findings, even in the absence of specific health issues. By acknowledging and actively working to alleviate these common anxieties,  
Figure 3: Bar chart of retrospective feelings of anxiety before the examination. Figure 2: Answer to the question if you feel nervous about the second MRI examination later the same day. healthcare providers can improve the overall experience and compliance for both patients and healthy volunteers. The level of anxiety decreases after completing the first MRI examination, and the participants are not as worried prior to the second MRI examination. A previous study provides evidence that anxiety levels decrease after the first MRI scan. This finding suggests that participants become more accustomed to the procedure, resulting in lower anxiety levels before their second MRI examination. Familiarity with the scanning process reduced the fear of the unknown, and the knowledge of what to expect contributed to this decrease in pre-examination anxiety. This reduced anxiety is important, as it can lead to better compliance and a more comfortable experience for patients undergoing repeated MRI examinations [6]. In our study, the majority of participants who initially felt anxious later reflected that their anxiety was unnecessary. This insight highlights an important aspect of patient preparation for MRI examinations. Communicating this to future participants could potentially help mitigate their anxiety. However, the challenge lies in how to effectively convey this reassurance. Simply informing patients beforehand that their anxiety is likely unfounded may not be sufficient for them to internalize and act upon this information. More effective strategies might include providing detailed information about the procedure and offering opportunities for patients to ask questions and express concerns prior to the scan. Tailoring the communication and information to individual patient needs and preferences might enhance their effectiveness in reassuring patients and minimizing unnecessary anxiety. Information regarding the side effects of the strong magnetic field is also important to minimize anxiety during the examination. The side effects of this scanner are reported in previous studies [11; 14]. A perhaps surprising finding was that more individuals reported a better overall feeling after the first MRI examination compared with the second. This outcome might be attributed to several factors. Firstly, participants may experience a greater sense of relief after completing the initial examination, having confronted and navigated their initial anxieties about the unknown aspects of the procedure. The relief of having completed the first scan successfully might overshadow any discomfort they experienced, leading to a more positive overall feeling. In contrast, the second examination might not elicit the same level of relief. By this point, participants are familiar with the process, and while this familiarity reduces initial anxiety, it may also diminish the novelty and subsequent sense of accomplishment felt after the first scan.