Physiological stress response patterns during a blood donation

BackgroundDonating 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 methodsIn 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. ResultsSignificant response patterns were found for all stress measures, where levels of systolic blood pressure (F(1,1315) = 242, P < 0001), RMSSD (F(1,1315) = 242, P < 0001), LF (F(1,1627) = 141, P < 0001) and HF (F(1,1624) = 340, P < 0001) increased towards needle insertion and then decreased to values lower than when arriving at the donation centre. Diastolic blood pressure (F(1,1326) = 509, P < 0001) increased and pulse rate (F(1,1393) = 5074, P < 0001) 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. ConclusionThis 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.