TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF 24-HOUR AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURES

The test-retest reliability of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressures (ABP ) was examined using correlational analyses as well as idiographic and nomothetic time-series regression analyses. Thirty normotensives (equ al males and females) underwent ABP monitoring on three occasions, eac h of which was separated by a week. When analyzing the data, various p ostural positions, activities, and locations were controlled for in or der to differentially assess the effects of these variables independen tly. Correlational analyses found the overall test-retest reliability of the ABPs to be quite good (SBP r = .84-.88, DBP r = .83-.86, HR r = .91-.95). Correlations examined within specific postural positions, a ctivities, and locations were also significant. The time-series regres sion analyses used confirmed the reproducibility of the ABPs, with no greater than 20% of the subjects showing significant changes in ABPs o ver the three monitoring periods. Gender effects were also examined. I n general, males had significantly higher systolic ABPs overall, altho ugh there was no influence of gender in terms of the test-retest relia bility of the ABPs.