The Hypotensive Effects of Home-Based Isometric Handgrip Training in Older Adults With Pre-Hypertension and Hypertension - The HoldAge Trial

University Institute of Maia

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hypertension; Pre-Hypertension

Treatments: Other: Isometric Handgrip Training; Other: Aerobic Exercise Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04275037

POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030646

Details and patient eligibility

About

New data suggests that isometric handgrip training (IHT) might become a novel tool in the treatment of hypertension. The main purpose of this research project is to evaluate the effects of home-based IHT on ambulatory blood pressure in older adults with pre-hypertension and hypertension. Eighty-four older adults with pre-hypertension and hypertension will be randomly distributed to one of three groups: home-based IHT, home-based aerobic exercise training (AET), or attention-control group (CON). Each intervention will have a total duration of 8 weeks. At baseline and after completing the intervention, patients will undergo the following evaluations: 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, endothelial function, damage and repair, arterial stiffness, inflammatory biomarkers, autonomic function, physical activity levels, dietary intake and quality of life. A qualitative analysis will also be applied to enhance the understanding of the efficacy of this intervention from the patient's perspective.

Enrollment: 84 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

• Secondary Hypertension
• Target Organ Damage
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Heart Failure
• Any Previous Cardiovascular Event
• Peripheral Artery Disease
• Renal Failure
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Insulin Dependent Diabetes
• Change of Antihypertensive Medication in the Past 4 Weeks Before Inclusion in the Study
• Smokers
• Those Participating in Regular Physical Activity

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

84 participants in 3 patient groups

Isometric Handgrip Training

Experimental group

Description:

The 8-week exercise program will include three sessions of isometric handgrip training per week

Treatment:

Other: Isometric Handgrip Training

Aerobic Exercise Training

Active Comparator group

Description:

The 8-week exercise program will include three sessions of aerobic exercise per week

Treatment:

Other: Aerobic Exercise Training

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

The control group will receive usual medical care