Effectiveness of Behavioural Intervention as Treatment for the Vasovagal Response in Blood Donation

Background: The experience of a vasovagal reaction during blood donation, with symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, and fainting, contributes to a more negative donation experience and significantly decreases the likelihood of blood donor return. This study investigates the effects of two behavioural interventions on reducing the occurrence of such reactions, applied muscle tension and respiration control, and possible moderation of these effects by sex, BMI, and medical fear. Methods: Six hundred and eleven participants were recruited from Héma-Québec blood drives across Montreal and randomly assigned one of four conditions: applied muscle tension, an anti-hyperventilation respiration control procedure, both techniques, or neither. Following their donation, participants completed the Blood Donations Reactions Inventory and Medical Fears Survey. Analysis focuses on the respiration control and applied tension groups. Results: While donor sex and BMI did not predict the effectiveness of applied muscle tension intervention, results showed that the largest benefit was seen in donors who reported lower levels of medical fears in the respiration control condition group. Limitations/Conclusions: The results are promising in that they suggest that intervention can decrease the risk for vasovagal symptoms in blood donation, though it may not be sufficient to reduce symptoms in donors with high levels of medical fear.