Physiological stress response patterns during a blood donation
Hoogerwerf,M D Veldhuizen,I J T Tarvainen,M P Merz,E-M Huis In 't Veld,E M J de Kort,W L A M Sluiter,J K Frings-Dresen,M H W
Hoogerwerf,M D
Veldhuizen,I J T
Tarvainen,M P
Merz,E-M
Huis In 't Veld,E M J
de Kort,W L A M
Sluiter,J K
Frings-Dresen,M H W
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Donating blood is associated with increased psychological stress. This study investigates whether a blood donation induces physiological stress and if response patterns differ by gender, donation experience and non-acute stress. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In 372 donors, physiological stress [blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse rate variability (PRV)] was measured at seven moments during routine donation. PRV was assessed using time domain [root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD)] and frequency domain [high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) power] parameters. Non-acute stress was assessed by questionnaire. Shape and significance of time course patterns were assessed by fitting multilevel models for each stress measure and comparing men and women, first-time and experienced donors, and donors with high and low levels of non-acute stress. RESULTS: Significant response patterns were found for all stress measures, where levels of systolic blood pressure (F(1,1315) = 24·2, P < 0·001), RMSSD (F(1,1315) = 24·2, P < 0·001), LF (F(1,1627) = 14·1, P < 0·001) and HF (F(1,1624) = 34·0, P < 0·001) increased towards needle insertion and then decreased to values lower than when arriving at the donation centre. Diastolic blood pressure (F(1,1326) = 50·9, P < 0·001) increased and pulse rate (F(1,1393) = 507·4, P < 0·001) showed a U-shaped curve. Significant group effects were found, that is, higher systolic blood pressure/pulse rate in women; higher pulse rate in first-time donors; higher RMSSD at arrival and from screening until leaving in first-time donors; and higher LF and HF in first-time donors. CONCLUSION: This study shows an increase in physiological stress related to needle insertion, followed by a decrease when leaving the donation centre. Some group effects were also found.
Description
© 2018 International Society of Blood Transfusion.
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Adult, Blood Donors, Blood Pressure, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Stress, Physiological, Stress, Psychological/etiology
Citation
Hoogerwerf, M D, Veldhuizen, I J T, Tarvainen, M P, Merz, E-M, Huis In 't Veld, E M J, de Kort, W L A M, Sluiter, J K & Frings-Dresen, M H W 2018, 'Physiological stress response patterns during a blood donation', Vox Sanguinis, vol. 113, no. 4, pp. 357-367. https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.12646