Effect of Isometric Handgrip Exercises on Blood Pressure of Hypertensive Adults

Riphah International University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hypertension

Treatments: Other: Sham IHG; Other: IHG; Other: Aerobic exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05240144

Sidra Iqbal

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is designed to determine the effects of isometric handgrip exercises as compared to aerobic exercises in the hypertensive population, specifically in pre-hypertensives and those with hypertension stage I who are not taking pharmacological treatment. This exercise is designed as part of lifestyle modification for these patients and if proven effective, it can provide an easier to perform exercise regimen as an alternative to be incorporated in the exercise plan of patients who have difficulty in performing aerobic exercises because of musculoskeletal concerns.

Full description

Hypertension (HTN) is a significant public health problem, with an increasing worldwide prevalence. The disease has an impact on reducing the quality of life (QOL) and can be life-threatening if not treated early. It is considered the major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Complications of hypertension can lead to a variety of serious diseases like stroke, heart attack, and even cardiac and renal failure. Non-pharmacological management via lifestyle modification is focused in the initial stages of HTN through the reduction in alcohol consumption, cessation of tobacco smoking, maintenance of body weight, improvements in nutrition, and increases in physical activity. Physical activity improves health status and prevents the complications of hypertension like stroke and heart failure.

Typically, aerobic exercises in the form of walking and jogging are advised as part of lifestyle modification. effectiveness of resistance training is also worked upon. A relatively newer approach in the form of Isometric Hand Grip exercises (IHG) is also under research because it can serve as a useful alternative for patients who cannot perform aerobic exercises because of musculoskeletal conditions. This study is targeted to assess the effects of IHG exercises, aerobic training, both aerobic and IHG training as well as sham IHG treatment for a comprehensive assessment of effects of IHG training.

Enrollment: 104 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Pre-hypertension (systolic BP 120-139 mmHg and diastolic BP<80) or stage I hypertensive patients (systolic BP 140-159 mmHg and diastolic BP 90-99mm Hg.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are taking antihypertensive agents
• Malignant hypertension
• Physical limitation preventing IHG training (e.g., missing arm, severe hand arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or having a musculoskeletal disorder affecting the upper limb.
• Active systemic illness that restricts exercise
• People doing exercise regularly
• Any other cardiopulmonary, metabolic, neurological, or psychiatric illness.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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104 participants in 4 patient groups

IHG group

Experimental group

Description:

Isometric handgrip exercises will be performed in 4 sets for 2 min at 30% Maximal Voluntary Contraction (MVC) on both hands with the frequency of 3 days per week for a period of 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: IHG

Aerobic training group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Aerobic Exercises include walk for 50 min with the frequency of 3 days per week. This exercise will be done for a 6-week period.

Treatment:

Other: Aerobic exercises

IHG + Aerobic exercises group

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Isometric handgrip exercises will be performed in 4 sets for 2 min at 30% MVC on both hands with the frequency of 3 days per week for a period of 6 weeks. Isometric handgrip exercises will be performed in 4 sets for 2 min at 30% MVC on both hands with the frequency of 3 days per week for a period of 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: IHG

Other: Aerobic exercises

Sham IHG group

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Isometric handgrip exercises will be performed in 4 sets for 2 min at 5% MVC on both hands with the frequency of 3 days per week for a total 6-week period.

Treatment:

Other: Sham IHG