Objective: To determine the test-retest reliability of quantitative and qualitative baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) parameters derived from the Valsalva maneuver (VM) in individuals with traumatic cervical SCI.

Design: Test-retest reliability.

Setting: Tertiary rehabilitation center.

Participants: Fourteen participants with cervical SCI (ranging from C3-C8 neurological level).

Outcome Measurements: Beat-to-beat systolic blood pressure (SBP) traces (finger photoplethysmography) were obtained during a 15-second forced expiration at two time points (7.6 ± 2.9 days between sessions) to assess VM reliability. Test-retest reliability of BRS metrics from derived from the VM (Valsalva ratio; VR, pressure recovery time; PRT, vagal baroreflex sensitivity; BRSv, adrenergic baroreflex sensitivity; BRSa₁, and total recovery; TR) were assessed by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC, with 95% confidence interval; CI) and by qualitative reproducibility (V, N, or M pattern).

Results: ICCs for quantitative parameters were (CI): VR = 0.894 (0.703–0.965), TR = 0.927 (0.789–0.976), BRSa₁ = 0.561 (0.149–0.911), PRT = 0.728 (0.343–0.904), BRSv = 0.243 (−0.309–0.673). Qualitatively, 12 subjects (85.7%) demonstrated reproducible VM patterns at both time points (3 “M” pattern, 8 “V” pattern and one “N” pattern).

Conclusion: VR (a measure of cardiovagal function) and TR (a measure of sympathetic adrenergic function) are reliable quantitative parameters that can be derived from SBP response to VM in participants with SCI. Qualitative waveform analysis was reproducible in 12/14 participants. This provides the foundational evidence required to pursue further validity testing to establish a role for VM in the assessment of autonomic functions in SCI.

目的：确定来自 Valsalva 动作 (VM) 的定量和定性压力反射敏感性 (BRS) 参数在创伤性颈椎 SCI 患者中的重测信度。

设计：重测信度。

地点：三级康复中心。

参与者： 14 名颈椎 SCI 参与者（范围从 C3-C8 神经水平）。

结果测量：在两个时间点（会话之间的 7.6 ± 2.9 天）的 15 秒强制呼气期间获得逐搏收缩压 (SBP) 轨迹（手指光电容积描记图），以评估 VM 可靠性。来自 VM 的 BRS 指标的重测可靠性（Valsalva 比；VR，压力恢复时间；PRT，迷走神经压力反射敏感性；BRSv，肾上腺素能压力反射敏感性；BRSa ₁和总恢复；TR）通过类内相关性进行评估系数（ICC，95% 置信区间；CI）和定性重现性（V、N 或 M 模式）。

结果：定量参数的 ICC 为 (CI)：VR = 0.894 (0.703–0.965)，TR = 0.927 (0.789–0.976)，BRSa ₁  = 0.561 (0.149–0.911)，PRT = 0.728 (0.343–0.904)，BRSv = 0.243 (-0.309–0.673)。定性地，12 名受试者 (85.7%) 在两个时间点都表现出可重复的 VM 模式（3 个“M”模式、8 个“V”模式和一个“N”模式）。

结论： VR（心血管功能的测量）和 TR（交感神经肾上腺素功能的测量）是可靠的定量参数，可以从 SCI 参与者的 SBP 对 VM 的反应中得出。12/14 名参与者可重复进行定性波形分析。这提供了进行进一步有效性测试以建立 VM 在评估 SCI 中的自主功能中的作用所需的基础证据。