Isometric and Dynamic Handgrip Training Effects on Hypertension

June 11, 2025 updated by: Riphah International University

Effects Of Isometrics and Dynamic Handgrip Exercise Training On Cardiovascular Parameters In Hypertensive Patients

Essential hypertension accounts for 13 percent of total deaths worldwide, accounting for one of the major risk factors. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). Dynamic exercises, sustained hand grip contractions elicit lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate responses. So for patients undergoing exercise therapy, low intensity isometric exercises are preferable. Significant reduction is seen in mean arterial blood pressure and systolic blood pressure in individuals conducting isometric for 8 weeks in 30%. The reduction in systolic blood pressure will be clinically significant. The main objective of this study will be to determine the effects of dynamic and isometric handgrip exercise training on cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients Grade 1 hypertensive patients are included as per AHA and JNC7 criteria. A sample of 100 hypertensive patients will be recruited and divided into two treatment groups; G1: dynamic exercise in hypertensive patients, and G2: isometric exercise in hypertensive patients. Outcome measure will include systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and pulse pressure. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and 2nd and 4th weeks posttreatment.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent diseases leading to morbidity and mortality, affecting millions of people every year. Pharmaceutical management is the main treatment method used. Exercise therapy mainly isometrics and dynamic handgrip exercises provide a non pharmacological management leading to decrease in symptoms. The association of hypertension with physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and occupational exposure to chemicals, obesity, older age, genetics, being overweight or obese, not being physically active, ,high-salt diet, job insecurity, job loss, and the psychosocial work environment and drinking too much alcohol. Lifestyle changes like eating a healthier diet, quitting tobacco, and being more active can help lower blood pressure. Hypertension rates are strongly associated with age. Acute effects of isometric and dynamic handgrip exercise on cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive subjects are numerous . They may also have some adverse effects on the cardiorespiratory system, particularly, through the elevation of blood pressure.

Since an acute bout of exercise can transiently improve cardiovascular endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and ambulatory blood pressure. The dynamic handgrip exercise is performed by repetitive contraction and relaxation of the hand at a maximum frequency. In order to determine the intensity of handgrip exercises, maximum isometric handgrip strength of the right and left hand was measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Isometric exercises differ from dynamic exercises because in this there is no change in muscle length or static force. Single handgrip exercise could reduce the blood pressure for couple of hours so a patient can perform this exercise several times a day if not being fatigue.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab
      • Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, 54770
        • Riphah Rehabiliation Clinic

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Gender (both)
  • Age (30-55 years)
  • Grade 1 hypertensive patients as per AHA and JNC7 criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients having hypertension associated due to other diseases.
  • Patients having joint problems of wrist, hand fingers, ligament and tendon injuries of hand and fingers.
  • Patients having recent hand surgeries, fracture, history of arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Patient having history of any symptoms of chest pain.
  • Patients having loss of consciousness during physical activity.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A
Other: Isomeric Hand Grip Exercises
Patients will be instructed to squeeze and sustain the dynamometer for 2 min at 30% M.V.C. The dynamometer pointer which read the scale provided visual feedback to the subjects for the maintenance of the 30% M.V.C. This procedure will be repeated twice for each training session with a 5-minute rest in between.
Active Comparator: Group B
Other: Dynamic Hand Grip Exercises
Dynamic handgrip exercise was performed with both-sided, metronome-guided rhythmic hand contractions for 2min. The handgrip ring, closest to 20% of MVC, was chosen for DHE which was performed at a frequency of 30/min, acoustically indicated by a metronome beat.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
6 Minute Walk test
Time Frame: Baseline; 4nd Week; 8th Week
It is a standard method for measuring exercise capacity in patients with cardiopulmonary disease such as PAH. The 6MWT measures how far a patient can walk in 6 minutes. Walking is an activity performed every day by most patients except for those most severely limited. By assessing patients' ability to exercise, the 6MWT provides a global assessment of respiratory, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and cognitive function. The 6MWT does not differentiate what limits the patient nor does it assess maximal exercise capacity. Instead, the 6MWT allows the patient to exercise at a daily functional level and is a useful tool for assessing severity of disease, and increasing walk distance correlates with a subjective improvement in dyspnea
Baseline; 4nd Week; 8th Week
Blood Pressure Measurements (SBP & DBP)
Time Frame: Baseline; 4nd Week; 8th Week
An appropriately sized cuff for the arm circumference was installed on the non-dominant arm. Blood pressure was measured every 20 minutes by 24 hours, and awake and sleep periods were determined according to information provided by the patients, the following are 7 strategies recommended by the AHA/AMA for accurate attainment of BP: 1) no conversation, 2) empty bladder, 3) use correct cuff size, 4) place BP cuff on bare arm, 5) support arm at heart level, 6) keep legs uncrossed, and 7) support back and feet
Baseline; 4nd Week; 8th Week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Arisha Noor, MS*, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

August 30, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 30, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

January 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 16, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 16, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

September 19, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 15, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 11, 2025

Last Verified

June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Arisha Noor

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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