To explore the effects of acute fear on the coagulation system while sitting still.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Coagulopathies and bleeding diatheses (excl thrombocytopenic)
- Embolism and thrombosis
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Individual markers of coagulation activity will be determined from the blood
samples. Pulse rates will be measured analogously and an anxiety/fear score
will be collected from each student for both movies. In addition, we will score
(after the second movie) if students enjoy to watch fearful or dull movies, and
if they have seen the presented movies before.
Secondary outcome
Not applicable.
Background summary
For centuries the term *blood curling* has been used to describe extreme
frightening situations. The term dates back to the medieval physiology, it was
believed that the human body contained four chief fluids, blood, phlegm, bile
and black bile. It was thought that fear or horror would *run the blood cold*
or *curdle* (solidify). To date large parts of the complex mechanism of the
coagulation cascade have been unravelled and many risk factors for clotting,
i.e., thrombosis have been identified. However, the origin of this ancient
theory has never been studied and it remains unknown if fear induces the
coagulation system.
Study objective
To explore the effects of acute fear on the coagulation system while sitting
still.
Study design
In a crossover study design healthy subjects will be exposed to a horrifying
e.g. scary movie followed by a dull e.g. flat movie which is shown at least 1
week after the first movie on the same day of the week at the same time of the
day. One group will first see the scary movie, followed by the dull movie the
week after, the second group will see the movies in the opposite order.
Intervention:
Blood will be drawn from the cubital vein 10 minutes before the first movie,
directly after the first movie. The same will be done 10 minutes before and
directly after the second movie. Blood is drawn by using a needle puncture.
Study burden and risks
Blood is drawn 4 times via needle puncture of the cubital vein (12 ml per time
point). Students will be offered free food and beverages directly after
participation.
Albinusdreef 2
Leiden 2333 ZA
NL
Albinusdreef 2
Leiden 2333 ZA
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
Participants will be recruited among students from the Leiden University Medical Center. All students must be between 18 and 30 years old, without any use of medication and otherwise healthy.
Exclusion criteria
Students will be excluded when they suffer from any kind of clinically identified coagulation disorder, anxiety disorder, use of hormonal anticonception (excluding intra-uterine devices), in case of pregnancy or puerperium, when they have a history of venous thrombosis, had major surgery or cast-immobilisation of the lower extremity in the past two months or when they have a neoplasm or inflammatory disease.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL53805.058.15 |