Arm Position and Blood Pressure Measurement Accuracy During Pregnancy (NCT07405723) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Arm Position and Blood Pressure Measurement Accuracy During Pregnancy
Israel300 participantsStarted 2026-04-12
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 55 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Difference in Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arm Positions
Timeframe: At the study visit (single study visit on the day 1 of enrollment)