Cardio-ankle vascular index : test-retest reliability and agreement in people with stroke

Abstract

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is superior to traditional methods of measuring arterial stiffness. However, its application in clinical practice has lagged behind the science. This study aimed to (1) examine its test–retest reliability and agreement between repeated measurements, (2) identify the correlation with fatigue and sleep quality, and (3) compare the CAVI values of the bilateral sides of people with stroke, and those of stroke survivors with and without fatigue. Participants (n = 67) were assessed using the CAVI, Fatigue Assessment Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The test–retest reliability ranged from 0.77 to 0.86. The Bland–Altman plots showed good agreement between test and retest. The standard error of measurement ranged from 0.59 to 0.66. The minimal detectable change ranged from 1.15 to 1.29. The CAVI values of the bilateral sides correlated with fatigue and those at the paretic side correlated with sleep quality. The CAVI values of the paretic side were higher than those of the non-paretic side in people with stroke. Stroke participants with fatigue had higher CAVI values than those without fatigue. CAVI has good test–retest reliability and agreement between repeated measurements for clinical use.