Use of the Accutracker Dx to assess behavioral influences on ambulatory cardiovascular activity: a preliminary investigation

OBJECTIVE: To examine the utility of the Accutracker Dx for tracking within-subject changes in cardiovascular activity during mental stress and exercise and for assessing between-subject differences in resting blood pressure.METHODS: Thirty male college students participated in a 2 h session. Simultaneous, opposite arm readings were taken by the Accutracker Dx and Accutracker II during a speech task, a stepping exercise task and stationary bike exercise, each preceded by a 10 min resting baseline period. RESULTS: Within-subject correlations between blood pressure monitors across activities were moderate to high. Correspondence with clinic readings was good in this group and in a second sample, although clinic readings were significantly higher than the Accutracker Dx assessments at rest in both studies. CONCLUSION: The Accutracker Dx monitor is appropriate for research in an ambulatory setting, yielding values similar to those obtained by clinic readings and by the Accutracker II. Further work is necessary to validate the Accutracker Dx for clinical or diagnostic use.