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| Respiration and applied tension strategies to reduce vasovagal reactions to blood donation | |
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| Investigator (PI): | Ditto, Blaine |
| Performing Organization (PO): |
(Current): McGill University, Faculty of Science, Department of Psychology / (514) 398-6100 |
| Supporting Agency (SA): | Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) |
| Initial Year: | 2014 |
| Final Year: | 2017 |
| Record Source/Award ID: | CIHR/133459 |
| Funding: | Total Award Amount: $206,201 2015 Award Amount: $68,845 |
| Award Type: | Grant |
| Abstract: | The Canadian blood supply depends on volunteer donors. Blood collection groups depend on donations to support life-saving procedures and the medical system in general. Unfortunately, although sufficient for current needs, the blood supply has become increasingly tight and there are occasional shortages related to type, time of year, etc. With the aging of the population and health requirements for giving blood, the situation could become critical in the near future. Most people realize the value of giving blood, and it is important to find ways to encourage those who have never done so. It is also crucial to find ways to keep those who are healthy enough and have volunteered at least once in the system. People who volunteer have taken a big step that might lead to dozens of subsequent donations. Unfortunately, while not universal and usually mild, some donors experience vasovagal symptoms such as dizziness and faintness that discourage them from giving blood again. We have found that simple strategies such as the muscle-tensing technique, applied tension (AT), have the potential to reduce symptoms and improve donor retention. However, AT does not work for everyone, the mechanisms are unclear, and some evidence indicates that it works more by preventing hyperventilation than muscle tension per se. A strategy based more directly on regulating respiration may be more effective. This project will compare the effects of AT and a novel respiration control strategy in reducing vasovagal symptoms during blood donation. Prospective donors in university clinics will learn strategies by video instruction just before they give blood. Symptoms will be assessed by self-report and direct observation by trained raters. Number of subsequent blood donations in the following year will be determined. The development of procedures to reduce vasovagal reactions to blood donation is crucial and will improve other aspects of medical care given the use needles in so many procedures. |
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| Country: | Canada |
| State: | Quebec |
| Zip Code: | H3A 1B1 |
| UI: | 20162108 |
| Project Status: | Completed |