Claustrophobia News and Research

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Virtual reality distraction helps claustrophobic patients complete cardiac scans

Patients who experience anxiety or claustrophobia can have difficulty completing important cardiac imaging, including Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computerized Tomography (CT) scans.

8 Sep 2026

Seven-second X-ray scan detects severe pulmonary valve regurgitation with high accuracy

Researchers at Kyushu University have developed a simple, rapid, and low-radiation X-ray technique that can evaluate the severity of a heart condition known as pulmonary valve regurgitation-a common and clinically significant complication after surgical repair of a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot.

4 Jun 2026

Study links microbe-rich diets with better insulin and cholesterol markers

This exploratory Australian study developed a database to estimate live microbe content in foods and examined associations with cardiometabolic health indicators in adults. Higher intake of foods estimated to contain live microbes was linked with favourable markers such as higher HDL cholesterol and lower BMI, insulin, and waist circumference, although causality cannot be inferred.

16 Feb 2026

Post-COVID smell loss linked to brain changes in key olfactory regions

Findings indicate significant brain changes in COVID-19 patients with smell loss, suggesting links to emotional well-being and olfactory processing.

17 Oct 2025

New MRI technology enables life-changing surgery for epilepsy patients

A new technique has enabled ultra-powerful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to identify tiny differences in patients' brains that cause treatment-resistant epilepsy.

20 Mar 2025

Study finds oral contraceptives may alter glycemic response in women using androgenic pills

This research highlights the metabolic effects of androgenic contraceptives, showing significant increases in postprandial glucose and insulin levels in women.

18 Oct 2024

COVID-19 survivors show lasting brain function alterations, fMRI study finds

The long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on brain function.

14 May 2024

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients face triple the risk of multiorgan damage, study reveals

Researchers in the U.K. find that patients hospitalized with COVID-19 face a higher medium-term risk of multiorgan abnormalities, revealed through multiorgan MRI scans. The study emphasizes the urgency for comprehensive post-hospitalization care, as these abnormalities are associated with persistent mental and physical health impairments.

25 Sep 2023

24 hour ketogenic diet increases energy expenditure, ketone supplements show little effect

In a recent study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, researchers compared the effects of fasting, ketone salt supplementation, and a one-day isocaloric ketogenic diet on the appetite perception and energy expenditure of healthy adults.

12 Apr 2023

Fastest diagnostic 3T MRI offers greater accuracy and a superior image

Mercy Medical Center has acquired the Philips Ingenia Elition 3T MRI, the fastest diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging technology available.

2 Feb 2023

Study identifies enlarged perivascular spaces in the brains of migraine sufferers

For the first time, a new study has identified enlarged perivascular spaces in the brains of migraine sufferers. Results of the study will be presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.

23 Nov 2022

Prevalence of organ impairment in Long COVID patients 6 and 12 months after initial symptoms

Researchers assessed the prevalence of organ impairment in long COVID six months and a year post-COVID-19 at London and Oxford.

24 Mar 2022

New ultrasound scan can detect prostate cancer cases with good accuracy

An ultrasound scan can be used to detect cases of prostate cancer, according to new research.

28 Feb 2022

New MRI technology to expand imaging access for patients with implanted medical devices and obesity

New MRI technology, developed by Siemens in collaboration with researchers at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and College of Engineering, will expand imaging access for patients with implanted medical devices, severe obesity and claustrophobia.

21 Jan 2022

Novel interactive VR system could make it easier for patients undertaking an MRI

Researchers from King's College London have created a novel interactive VR system to be used by patients when undertaking an MRI.

11 Aug 2021

Health anxiety in childhood and adolescence can become a permanent problem

Symptoms of health anxiety are common already during childhood and adolescence - and if the children do not receive the correct help, the anxiety can become a permanent problem with serious personal and socio-economic consequences.

3 May 2021

Researchers investigate how neural circuits enable the brain to regulate basal sighing

One group of neurons controls various types of sighing, but they receive their instructions from different areas of the brain depending on the reason for the sigh, according to a study scheduled to publish June 16 in the journal Cell Reports.

17 Jun 2020

New MRI computing technique can measure strain in the heart without damaging kidneys

3D MRI computing can measure strain in the heart using image registration method. Traditional method involves giving the patient a dose of gadolinium which can affect the kidney, researchers at WMG, University of Warwick have found.

28 Aug 2019

New self-guided treatment using smartphone and VR viewer effective in reducing fear of heights

A fully self-guided treatment using virtual reality is effective in reducing fear of heights. A team of researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Twente, led by Dr. Tara Donker, developed ZeroPhobia (www.zerophobia.app), a treatment delivered through a smartphone app and a basic VR viewer.

26 Mar 2019

Survey: 2.5 million people experience back pain every day in the UK

One in five people who suffer from back pain have given up their job or reduced their hours because of their condition.

From medserena 9 Oct 2018