Updated November 3, 2026 · By the MRIScanNearMe.com Team
Quick answer: Neither design removes claustrophobia, but both can help. Open MRI is the least enclosed option, while wide-bore scanners usually offer stronger magnets. In a randomized trial of 172 high-risk patients, claustrophobic events occurred in 26% on an open scanner and 39% on a short-bore scanner, a difference that was not statistically significant.
If the MRI tunnel makes you nervous, you have more options than you might expect. A 2007 European review, cited by StatPearls, found claustrophobia-related problems in 1% to 15% of MRI patients. On average, about 2.3% needed sedation or could not be scanned. Here is how the scanners compare and what can help.
Is open MRI or wide-bore MRI better for claustrophobia?
Open MRI is the less enclosed of the two, so many anxious patients prefer it, but wide-bore is often the better fit when your exam needs more image detail.
RadiologyInfo, the patient site from the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America, says more "open" units can help people with severe claustrophobia. It also says newer, wider-bore scanners may be more comfortable for larger patients and for people with claustrophobia. Open MRI is not available for certain exams, so check with your radiologist before you settle on one.
What is the difference between open, wide-bore and standard MRI?
The main differences are how much space surrounds you and how strong the magnet is. These figures come from Envision Radiology, an imaging provider, and individual machines vary:
- Standard closed MRI: A tube with a 60 cm opening. Mayo Clinic describes the MRI machine as a long, narrow tube that is open on both ends.
- Wide-bore MRI: Still a tube, but with a 70 cm opening and field strengths of 1.5 to 3 tesla.
- Open MRI: Open on three sides, with no enclosed tunnel. Field strengths run from 0.2 to 1.0 tesla, and most units are under 0.5 tesla.
Magnet strength matters because stronger fields generally produce a clearer signal. Envision says lower-field open scanners give lower-resolution images and take longer. A provider's comparison reflects its own equipment, so ask your imaging center about its machines.
Does a wider or open scanner really prevent claustrophobia?
No scanner design prevents it entirely. The best evidence we found is a randomized trial from Charité hospital in Berlin, published in PLOS ONE in 2011. It compared a 1-tesla open scanner with a 1.5-tesla short-bore closed scanner in patients at high risk for claustrophobia.
- Claustrophobic events occurred in 26% of patients on the open scanner and 39% on the short-bore scanner. The difference was not statistically significant.
- Events happened earlier on the short-bore scanner (3.8 minutes in the exam room versus 8.5 on the open scanner).
- All 26 patients who still could not tolerate imaging completed it with IV sedation.
Two cautions apply. The trial ran in 2008 and 2009, so it did not include newer scanners. It also tested a short-bore machine, which is not the same thing as a 70 cm wide-bore design, and a 1-tesla open magnet is stronger than most open units.
In a follow-up survey of 160 trial participants, 86.4% of those who had a claustrophobic event preferred an open design. The top requests overall were less noise and more room over the head.
What can you do if you are claustrophobic during an MRI?
Tell your doctor and the imaging center ahead of time, then plan a few simple coping steps. UVA Radiology suggests these, among others:
- Learn what will happen, including the noises, and ask questions as they come up. Our MRI preparation guide is a good place to start.
- Use slow, focused breathing, or count slowly.
- Keep your eyes closed, or ask whether you can cover your face with a towel or washcloth.
- Listen to music if your center allows headphones.
- Talk with your technologist, and bring a trusted friend or family member if you can.
You stay in contact throughout. RadiologyInfo says the technologist can see, hear and speak with you over an intercom, and you hold a squeeze ball to get their attention right away. Mayo Clinic notes that earplugs or music help with the loud tapping and thumping. This helps for longer exams, such as a lower back MRI or a scan with contrast.
If those steps may not be enough, ask your doctor about sedation before your appointment. UVA says sedation is meant to relax you for the exam, not put you to sleep.
How do you find the right scanner near you?
Start with your doctor's order, then call imaging centers and ask specific questions. Our nationwide MRI directory lists centers by state and city, including our Florida MRI centers. When you call, ask:
- Is your scanner open, wide-bore or standard, and what is its field strength?
- Can my exact exam be done on that machine?
- Can I listen to music, and can someone stay with me?
- What are your options if I need sedation?
If you switch centers, ask your doctor's office whether your order or insurance approval needs to change. Our guide to MRI prior authorization covers what to do if a request is denied. If your scan is for ongoing back or joint pain, PainDocNearMe.com can help you find a pain specialist to talk through next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask for an open MRI instead of a closed one?
Yes, you can ask, and it helps to raise it when your doctor orders the scan. RadiologyInfo notes that open units can help people with severe claustrophobia, but open MRI is not available for certain exams. Your radiologist can tell you whether your exam can be done on one.
Is an open MRI as accurate as a closed MRI?
It depends on the scanner and the exam. Many open units run at lower magnetic field strength, which one imaging provider says means lower resolution and longer scans. In one randomized trial, however, all completed exams on a 1-tesla open scanner and a 1.5-tesla short-bore scanner were of diagnostic quality.
Can I take something for anxiety before an MRI?
Possibly. RadiologyInfo says people with claustrophobia or anxiety can ask their doctor to prescribe a mild sedative before the exam date. If you take one, do not drive yourself home, so arrange a ride ahead of time. Mayo Clinic notes that most people finish an MRI without medicine.
How long will I be inside the MRI scanner?
It varies by exam and equipment. Mayo Clinic says an MRI usually takes 15 minutes to more than an hour, and RadiologyInfo says the entire exam usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Ask your imaging center for the expected time for your specific scan.
Can someone stay in the room with me during an MRI?
Sometimes. UVA Radiology says a trusted friend or family member can come with you and may even be able to stay in the room. Anyone who goes in must first be screened for safety, so ask about this when you book.
Find an MRI near you
Use our MRI center finder to look up imaging centers in your area, then call and ask which scanners they have.
Sources: RadiologyInfo.org: How to Prepare for Your MRI Exam; Mayo Clinic: MRI; Enders et al., PLOS ONE, 2011; Dewey et al., European Radiology, 2020; StatPearls: Claustrophobia; UVA Radiology: Reducing MRI Claustrophobia; Envision Radiology: Wide Bore vs. Open MRI.
This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about which scan is right for you.