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Applied tension and coping with blood donation: a randomized trial
Crystal D Holly1, Lindsey Torbit, Blaine Ditto
1Psychology Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. crystal.holly@mail.mcgill.ca
Background:
Despite the ongoing need for blood donation, few people give blood. A common reason is concern about vasovagal symptoms.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of applied tension in reducing vasovagal symptoms during blood donation and the mechanisms of action.
Method:
Two hundred eighty-two young adult blood donors were randomly assigned to conditions involving applied tension during the pre-donation wait period, during the blood draw, both, or no applied tension at all.
Results:
Applied tension was effective in reducing vasovagal symptoms in blood donors, particularly when practiced during the pre-donation wait period (p < 0.001). People who practiced applied tension during the pre-donation wait period required less treatment for vasovagal reactions than people who did not (8% vs. 16%).
Conclusions:
The results of this study suggest that the effects of applied tension on vasovagal symptoms are not mediated entirely by exercise-related changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Rather, it may reduce anxiety or physiological consequences of anxiety. Applied tension is a useful treatment which can help people cope during blood donation and other invasive medical interventions.
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