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NCT Number: NCT07296822

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for MRI-Related Anxiety

The aim of the study is to investigate whether internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) can help patients who have difficulty undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The main question to be answered is

- Can patients undergo MRI with less anxiety using iCBT?

The patients will undergo a four-week treatment that includes information about MRI, anxiety management, relaxation and retention. The end goal is to simulate an MRI scan in a mock scanner where participants can report their anxiety. Half of the participants will be randomized to receive the treatment before (intervention group) the simulated MRI scan and half will receive the treatment after the simulated MRI scan (control group). Up to 60 patients will be included plus some pilot patients.

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Key information

Conditions

Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Claustrophobia Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Mental Disorders Phobic Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Linköping University

Linköping, 58739, Sweden

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Johan Kihlberg

CONTACT

[email protected]

73929

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • self-perceived problems with doing MRI examinations

Exclusion criteria

  • difficulty understanding written text
  • severe mental health problems

Treatment and study plan

Intervention

Behavioral

Participants will receive the internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) intervention prior to undergoing the mock MR examination.

Primary outcomes

  1. MRI-related anxiety

    Time frame: Baseline and within two days of the mock MRI examination

    MRI-related anxiety using the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Anxiety Questionnaire (MRI-AQ) measured before and after the mock MRI examination. Higher value means increased symptoms. Can give between 15-60 points.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Anxiety

    Time frame: Baseline and within two days of the mock MRI examination

    Anxiety using Generalized Anxiety Disorder Seven Item Scale (GAD-7) measured before and after the mock MRI examination. Higher value means increased symptoms. Can give between 0-27 points.

  2. Claustrophobia

    Time frame: Baseline and within two days of the mock MRI examination

    Claustrophobia using a Swedish validated translation of The Claustrophobia Questionnaire (CLQ) measured before and after the mock MRI examination. Higher value means increased symptoms. Can give between 0-48 points.

  3. Mental health

    Time frame: Baseline and within two days of the mock MRI examination

    Mental health using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) measured before and after the mock MRI examination. Higher value means increased symptoms. Can give between 0-27 points.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Johan Kihlberg, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+461038902

Tomas Bjerner, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Johan Kihlberg

Other Gov

Collaborators

  • Landstinget i Kalmar Län
  • Linkoeping University
  • Region Jönköping County
  • Region Östergötland

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for MRI-Related Anxiety

Acronym: MRTightxiety

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Dec 22, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 22, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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