What to Expect for Participants

This pages explains what to expect before, during, and after your visit to CFMI as a research participant.

What to Expect the Day Before Your Scan:

Complete the MRI Safety Screening Form
Please fill this out honestly and completely. Your sponsoring research team and CFMI staff will review it with you twice on the day of your scan. You may fill out either version:
- The digital MRI Screening form – complete online and CFMI staff will print when you arrive
- The printable PDF of the MRI Screening form – you print and complete, and bring with you to your scanning appointment
Review our MRI Safety Information for Participants
To know what to expect, we recommend reviewing this page, which includes important details on what to wear and common side effects of MRI.

Wear MRI-appropriate clothing.
Avoid clothing with metal (e.g. zippers) near the head or neck, and metallic, glitter or sequin clothing.
- For brain MRI only: It is okay to wear pants with buttons or zippers, and underwire bras are permitted.
- For body MRI: please avoid all metal, including buttons, zippers and underwire bras.
- Make sure you can remove all metal on your body, including jewelry, piercings, hair pieces or accessories, belts, etc.
- Remove your shoes before entering the scanner room. We recommend you wear socks for comfort.
Arrive at CFMI.
We are located on the Lower Level (LL) of the Preclinical Sciences Building, not in the Medstar Georgetown hospital. We understand it can be hard to find, so please review our directions and parking information. If you have trouble finding the facility, contact your research coordinator and they will be happy to help!
- Tip: If you ask the parking garage or other Georgetown staff for directions, be sure to specify that you are heading to the Preclinical Science Building. If you ask for directions to MRI, they will likely send you to the hospital.
Have your Safety Review. Both the research staff and the CFMI staff will go over your MRI safety screening form twice. We may ask similar or redundant questions — this is our way of making sure you are safe!

De-Metal: Remove all metal items in or on your body, including electronics, wallets, keys, jewelry, accessories, and shoes. We will have baskets available to contain your personal belongings and keep them safe while you are in the scanner.
Set Up: You will enter the scanner room and be asked to lie flat on your back on the MRI bed.
Hearing Protection: The MRI scanner is loud, so we will provide foam earplugs to protect your hearing. You will also receive headphones, which provide added hearing protection and allow for us to communicate with you while you are in the scanner.
Emergency Squeeze Ball: You will be given an emergency squeeze ball, which alerts your technician to immediately stop the scan. This should only be used for emergencies, such as intense discomfort, pain or claustrophobia.
Extra Comfort Measures: Your technician will place pillows under your knees to stabilize your spine and keep you comfortable. We have a wide variety of pillows, blankets, and bolsters — please let your technician know how to make you most comfortable.
Getting Started: We will use a bright laser light to help position your head in the machine. Then, we will gently move you into the scanner. From here, your only job is to relax and do your best to stay still. Breathing, blinking, swallowing and other natural movements are okay.

MRI machines can make a variety of sounds, including:

You may also feel:

The sounds may be loud, but they will not hurt. The provided earplugs and headphones will keep you comfortable and safe.

Once your scan is complete, your technician will help guide you off the scanner bed. Here’s what happens next:

Collect Your Belongings
After your scan, you’ll get your shoes and accessories back on and gather your personal items. You can replace anything you removed before the scan, including electronics, jewelry, belts, and hairpieces.
Feeling a Bit Off?
Some people feel a little disoriented, dizzy, or tired after lying still in the scanner — this is normal and usually fades quickly. Take your time getting up and walking out, especially if you’re feeling lightheaded. Let your technician know if anything feels off.
Return to Your Day
Your research team may have additional tasks for you, such as behavioral testing, surveys, or debriefing. Check in with your research coordinator to confirm your next steps.
Study Results
CFMI does not interpret or share results directly. Your research team will follow up with you if the study includes any individual feedback or future appointments.