The Effect of Stress Ball and Music on Anxiety, Distress, and Pain Levels During Platelet Apheresis Donation: Randomized Controlled Trial

Transfus Med Rev. 2026 Feb 27;40(2):150980. doi: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2026.150980. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of stress ball and music interventions-targeting sensory distraction-on anxiety, distress, and pain levels in platelet apheresis donation (PAD). The study included 102 first-time donors aged 18 to 55 at a university hospital blood transfusion center. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: stress ball (n = 34), music (n = 34), and control (n = 34). Data were collected using the Donor Information Form, Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS), Visual Analogue Scale, Distress Thermometer (DT), and Donor Monitoring Chart. During PAD, the stress ball group received a stress ball and the music group listened to instrumental music for 30 minutes, while the control group received routine care. The groups were similar in sociodemographic characteristics (p > .05); 43.1% were aged 20-30 years. The music group showed the greatest reduction in BAS scores (p < .001) and had the lowest post-intervention DT score (1.17 ± 1.56). In the stress ball group, heart and respiration rates decreased significantly after intervention (p = .008). The control group experienced a slight increase in pain scores, whereas both intervention groups reported no pain. Although anxiety and distress levels were mild before donation, both stress ball and music interventions significantly reduced these outcomes after PAD. Distraction-based methods, such as stress balls and music, may support emotional well-being during PAD and enhance the donor experience.

PMID:41903323 | DOI:10.1016/j.tmrv.2026.150980