Applied tension may help retain donors who are ambivalent about needles

Abstract

Background Vasovagal symptoms can discourage people who might otherwise give blood on many occasions. However, the effects of symptoms on donor retention as well as the effects of treatments to reduce vasovagal symptoms on donor retention are probably moderated by a person’s confidence that they can tolerate the procedure. Methods Data from a study on the effects of the muscle tensing technique applied tension (AT) on donor retention were examined to determine if (1) the degree of donor ambivalence about needles influenced the impact of vasovagal symptoms on subsequent return and (2) ambivalence about needles moderated the effect of learning AT on donor return. One‐year follow‐up data on 614 people who had previously given blood and were randomly assigned to either a no treatment, donation‐as‐usual condition or one of two conditions involving AT were obtained. Self‐reported degree of needle ambivalence and vasovagal symptoms were assessed during the initial blood donation. Results Among participants in the no treatment group, increases in vasovagal symptoms were associated with decreases in donor return but only among people who expressed some fear of blood draws. Similarly, among people who no expressed fear of needles, learning AT had no effect on post‐donation estimate of the likelihood they would give blood again or return rate. However, among people with some fear of blood draws learning AT led to both a higher estimate that they would give blood again as well as actual return rate. Conclusions The experience of vasovagal symptoms may not deter people who are generally confident in their ability to tolerate blood donation. However, among people who are ambivalent about needles, symptoms may ‘confirm’ pre‐existing doubts about their suitability for blood donation and lead to drop‐out. Targeted interventions that give the uncertain volunteer a sense of confidence that they might be able to realize their goal and become a regular blood donor may be useful.

Management of Young Blood Donors

“…Muscle tension is also a form of distraction. The benefit of muscle tension data is supported by small trials that used BDRI evaluations to show differences [73,74,75], but there are no large observation trials. …”

“…The study suggested that the psychological handling of donors plays a corollary role or perhaps even more important role in donor retention than reduction of reactions. Several small trials that used muscle tension showed variable results for donor retention [73,74,75]. These variable results suggest minimal benefits from muscle tension in terms of blood donor retention.…”

Fear of blood draws, vasovagal reactions, and retention among high school donors

“…A second implication is that fearful donors may be at increased risk for attrition given the negative relationship between vasovagal reactions and retention among novice and experienced donors 18‐24. Consistent with this notion, a recent reanalysis of college‐aged donors revealed that fear of having blood drawn was related to increased risk of vasovagal reactions and decreased likelihood of donor return in the subsequent year . Interestingly, subsequent donation behavior was observed to be lower only among fearful donors who also reported above‐average vasovagal symptoms; the experience of vasovagal reactions did not affect return behavior among those who reported no fear, nor did fear relate to decreased return in the absence of vasovagal symptoms.…”

The effects of leg crossing and applied tension on blood donor return

“…However, another important question about AT is whether it influences donor return. As noted above, the evidence is encouraging but very preliminary . This report describes the 2‐year follow‐up results from the leg crossing sample.…”