The impact of neurocardiogenic syncope on young people.

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The impact of neurocardiogenic syncope on young people’s health related quality of life and psychological functioning: A qualitative study.

  • IRAS ID

    155898

  • Contact name

    Kenneth Mullen

  • Contact email

    kenneth.mullen@glasgow.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    NHS Ayrshire and Arran

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 8 months, 29 days

  • Research summary

    Fainting in childhood is common (McLeod 2003) with around one in five children experiencing an episode before the age of 15 years old. Whilst uncommon, it can also be a symptom of cardiac difficulties which may be potentially serious and/or life threatening which understandably can cause significant anxiety for families, medical clinicians and for young people themselves. Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS) or neurocardiogenic fainting is diagnosed when individuals frequently faint but when no underlying cardiac condition is identified. This "diagnosis" in itself can be extremely distressing and anxiety provoking for families and young people who may worry that an underlying condition has not been identified. Previous research with young people has found links between NCS and poorer quality of life (Anderson et al. 2010) and mental health difficulties (Hyphantis et al. 2012). However, to date, there are no studies which explore what it is like for young people to experience NCS. Young people can have numerous investigations to establish the cause of their symptoms, including the implant of a monitoring device called an internal loop recorder (ILR). This research aims to explore young people's experience of NCS and their understanding of their symptoms. It will also focus on young people's experiences of receiving a diagnosis of NCS following implantation of an ILR. Between 7-9 young people, aged 12 to 17 years old, who have received a diagnosis of NCS and are registered with the Paediatric Cardiac Service at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow will be invited to participate in interviews. The data will be analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). It is hoped that the research findings will help guide future practise for the management of this condition and help improve outcomes including a reduction in the anxiety experienced by families, medical clinicians and the young people themselves.

  • REC name

    East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/EM/1220

  • Date of REC Opinion

    14 Nov 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion