Recruiting

Arm Position and Blood Pressure Measurement Accuracy During Pregnancy

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07405723

PhaseNA

Enrollment300

SponsorSheba Medical Center

Age18 Years

SexFEMALE

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Pregnancy, Blood Pressure Measurement in Pregnancy, Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy

About this study

Accurate blood pressure measurement is essential during pregnancy, as blood pressure readings guide clinical decisions related to the diagnosis and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Clinical guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure with the arm supported at heart level; however, in routine practice, blood pressure is often measured with the arm in non-standard positions. This study aims to evaluate how different arm positions affect blood pressure measurements in pregnant women. Pregnant women attending a high-risk pregnancy clinic will undergo blood pressure measurements with the arm placed in several commonly used positions, including supported at heart level, supported on the lap, and unsupported at the side. Each participant will have multiple measurements taken during a single clinic visit. The study is designed as a randomized crossover trial with stratification by trimester and chronic hypertension status, allowing each participant to serve as her own control. Participants will be enrolled across all three trimesters of pregnancy, and results will be analyzed separately for each trimester. The primary outcome is the difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements between arm positions. The findings of this study may help improve the accuracy of blood pressure measurement during pregnancy and inform clinical practice regarding optimal measurement techniques.

Interventions

Other: Arm Supported at Heart Level — Blood pressure measurements are obtained with the arm supported at heart level while the participant is seated.
Other: Arm Supported on Lap — Blood pressure measurements are obtained with the arm supported on the participant's lap while seated.
Other: Arm Unsupported at Side — Blood pressure measurements are obtained with the arm unsupported at the participant's side while seated.

Primary outcomes

Difference in Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arm Positions (At the study visit (single study visit on the day 1 of enrollment))

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women aged 18 to 55 years * Singleton or multiple viable intrauterine pregnancy * Gestational age corresponding to first, second, or third trimester at the time of enrollment * Ability to sit upright comfortably for the duration of blood pressure measurements * Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Preexisting significant cardiac disease (e.g., arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, severe valvular disease) * Chronic kidney disease defined as serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL at enrollment * Significant upper limb or shoulder conditions that may affect arm positioning or blood pressure measurement (e.g., lymphedema, fractures, prior surgery, arteriovenous fistula) * Neurological or musculoskeletal conditions preventing proper positioning * Severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, or other acute medical conditions requiring immediate intervention * Major fetal anomaly * Intrauterine fetal demise

Study locations

Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, 5265217 Israel

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.