The impact of isotonic applied muscle tension in reducing the vasovagal event in first-time blood donors: A cohort study.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Prevention of vasovagal events has been a major concern for blood centres to reduce the negative impact of decreased donor return for whole blood donation. This study aims to find out the effectiveness of applied muscle tension in reducing vasovagal events in first-time blood donors.

Materials and methods: This cohort study involves the active application of applied muscle tension given by the donor with an inbuilt mechanism through an adjustable spring-fitted footrest in the blood donor couch (Remi India Pvt. Ltd). The outcome measure was encountering vasovagal events from the beginning of whole blood donation till at least 15 min of the observation period after blood donation in the blood donation complex. Vasovagal events were monitored objectively by measuring heart rate and blood pressure before, during whole blood donation, and after recovery from vasovagal events. Various signs of VVRs, such as dizziness, facial pallor, and sweating, were taken into consideration.

Results: This study includes the observation of adverse donor events among first-time blood donors in a total of 2192 whole blood donations. The vaso-vagal events were associated significantly with the muscle tension applied, education, and anxiety level of the blood donors. The regression analysis showed the muscle tension applied, education level, anxiety scale, hemoglobin percentage, volume of blood collected and BMI as an independent predictor of adverse vaso-vagal events in whole blood donation.

Conclusion: Applied muscle tension is an effective tool to reduce the incidence of VVRs in first-time blood donors. Pre-donation counseling of first-time donors may reduce the anxiety level and, in turn, the VVRs.