Force sensor reduced measurement error compared with verbal command during sit‐to‐stand assessment of cerebral autoregulation

Abstract

Current methods estimate the time delay (TD) before the onset of dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) from verbal command to stand. A force sensor used during a sit‐to‐stand dCA measure provides an objective moment an individual stands (arise‐and‐off, AO). We hypothesized that the detection of AO would improve the accuracy of TD compared with estimation. We measured middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) for 60 s sitting followed by 2‐min standing, three times separated by 20 min. TD was calculated as the time from: (1) verbal command and (2) AO, until an increase in cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCi = MCAv/MAP). Sixty‐five participants were enrolled: young adults (n = 25), older adults (n = 20), and individuals post‐stroke (n = 20). The TD calculated from AO (truex¯$$ \overline{x} $$ = 2.98 ± 1.64 s) was shorter than TD estimated from verbal command (truex¯$$ \overline{x} $$ = 3.35 ± 1.72 s, η2 = 0.49, p < 0.001), improving measurement error by ~17%. TD measurement error was not related to age or stroke. Therefore, the force sensor provided an objective method to improve the calculation of TD compared with current methods. Our data support using a force sensor during sit‐to‐stand dCA measures in adults across the lifespan and post‐stroke.