Va. Bonk et al., Distraction reduces self-reported physiological reactions to blood donation in novice donors with a blunting coping style, PSYCHOS MED, 63(3), 2001, pp. 447-452
Objective: Vasovagal reactions experienced by some blood donors leg, faintn
ess, lightheadedness, and dizziness) have been shown to be related to a dec
reased likelihood of future blood donations. This study evaluated the effic
acy of audiovisual distraction as a means of reducing self-reported physiol
ogical reactions in first-time blood donors. Because interventions that are
consistent with an individual's preferred coping style have been shown to
be more effective at reducing physiological and psychological responses to
stressful medical procedures, coping style (monitoring vs. blunting) was as
sessed as a possible moderating variable. Methods: First-time blood donors
were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: audiovisual distraction or
no-treatment control. Participants in the distraction group donated blood
at an American Red Cross blood drive while watching a three-dimensional vid
eo presentation on a personal visor and headset, The control group donated
blood according to standard American Red Cross procedures. Score on a self-
reported measure of physiological reactions completed immediately after don
ation served as the dependent variable. Results: Individuals who typically
use blunting coping strategies to cope with stress reported an attenuation
of vasovagal reactions to blood donation in the distraction vs. the control
condition (t(49) = 2.29, p < .05), whereas donors who prefer a monitoring
coping style did not benefit from distraction. Conclusions: Among first-tim
e blood donors, audiovisual distraction may be an effective means of reduci
ng vasovagal reactions in donors who prefer to cope with stress using such
strategies as distraction, denial, and reinterpretation.