Arm Position and Blood Pressure Readings: The ARMS Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors' conclusion
This crossover randomized clinical trial showed that commonly used arm positions (lap or side) resulted in substantial overestimation of BP readings and may lead to misdiagnosis and overestimation of hypertension.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged 18–80 years, Baltimore, Maryland, 2022–2023
- Participants
- 133 adults
- Comparison
- Lap or unsupported side arm position vs arm supported on desk for blood pressure (BP) measurement
- Primary endpoint
- Difference in differences in mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) vs reference (desk 1): (lap or side − desk 1) − (desk 2 − desk 1)
Methodological detailscrossover
- Crossover
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Each group vs desk 1Difference in differences, mm Hg (95% CI)
LapSBP
3.9(2.5–5.2)
LapDBP
4.0(3.1–5.0)
SideSBP
6.5(5.1–7.9)
SideDBP
4.4(3.4–5.4)
Further findings
Subgroups by hypertensive status, age, obesity status, health care access
- Patterns generally consistent across subgroups
Original publication
Arm Position and Blood Pressure Readings: The ARMS Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. Published 1 December 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →