The analysis of indexed astronomical time series - VII. Simultaneous use of times of maxima and minima to test for period changes in long-period variables

A statistical model is formulated that enables one to analyse jointly the t imes between maxima and minima in the light curves of monoperiodic pulsatin g stars. It is shown that the combination of both sets of data into one lea ds to analyses that are more sensitive. Illustrative applications to the Am erican Association of Variable Star Observers data for a number of long-per iod variables demonstrate the usefulness of the approach.