Soothing techniques used in barium enema examinations.

This article is part of a research project being carried out to explore and develop stress reduction methods which can be used in x-ray departments. It describes the results of a survey which shows that a high proportion (90%) of those involved in barium examinations agree there is a relationship between the anxiety of the patient and the difficulty of the examination. Many of those involved in the examination (87%) report using methods which they think are effective in reducing patients' anxiety. There is little difference between the opinions of the various professional groups involved in barium enema examinations. From this research a list has been developed of the anxiety reduction techniques presently employed during barium enema examinations. The article endorses the need for further study of methods for reducing patients' anxiety during x-ray examinations.