Measuring "Scanxiety": A Systematic Review and Symptom Coverage Analysis of Commonly Used Measures.
Radiography (Lond)Jul 22, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchRadiology (Diagnostic)
K Bullock, G H Rawlings, G Lee et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the symptoms of 'scanxiety' in adult populations and evaluated commonly used measures for capturing these symptoms. A total of 159 symptoms were identified across 23 studies, revealing that existing measures primarily assess emotional and physical symptoms, while behavioral and environmental symptoms are inadequately represented. The study highlights the need for improved assessment tools.
Key findings
- 159 symptoms related to scanxiety were identified across 23 studies.
- Symptoms were synthesized into 18 conceptual clusters across five domains.
- Existing measures mainly assess emotional and physical symptoms, neglecting behavioral and environmental factors.
- No reviewed measure captured environmental symptoms associated with scanxiety.
Why it matters
Understanding the full spectrum of scanxiety symptoms is crucial for clinicians to provide comprehensive care. Inadequate assessment may lead to missed opportunities for intervention and support, impacting patient experiences during medical imaging.