Feasibility and Acceptability of Isometric Exercise and Lifestyle Change for the Management of Hypertension

Summary

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and may contribute to poor health and premature death. The purpose of this research is to learn if a home-based isometric exercise programme combined with lifestyle change advice is a practical and acceptable method for people diagnosed with hypertension to manage their condition. Isometric exercise involves a muscle contraction without movement of the limbs and previous research has shown this may be effective for reducing blood pressure. Therefore, this study will explore the experiences, thoughts, attitudes, and barriers to participation. It will also examine the effect the isometric exercise has on blood pressure.

Participants will undertake an isometric exercise programme using a wall squat position, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. The exercise sessions will be completed at home with remote online supervision by an exercise professional. Lifestyle change advice will given in line with current guidelines to promote healthy behaviours to reduce high blood pressure. After 12 weeks, participants will be encouraged to continue with the wall squat exercise for a further 12-weeks unsupervised. Throughout the study, participants' blood pressure and daily activity will be recorded using a smartwatch device.

Upon completion of the intervention period, participants will be interviewed to gather their views and opinions on the isometric exercise programme. Changes in blood pressure will be evaluated at 12 and 24 weeks.

By exploring whether an isometric exercise programme is a feasible and acceptable method for hypertensive people to manage their condition and how this influences blood pressure, this research may aid in the development of a strategy to manage hypertension.

Conditions

• Hypertension (HTN)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Isometric Exercise and Lifestyle Change Advice

The intervention consists of two distinct phases: • Intensive Phase (12 weeks) - a structured, high-support period involving three weekly supervised isometric exercise sessions and lifestyle change advice. The supervised exercise programme will consist of 4 × 2-minute bouts of wall squat exercise, with 2-minute rest periods between bouts. Participant squat height position will be based on individual calculations determined at baseline. Target rate of perceived exertion (RPE) for each bout will be: * Bout 1: RPE 4 (target range: 3.5-4.5) * Bout 2: RPE 5.5 (target range: 5-6) * Bout 3: RPE 7 (target range: 6.5-7.5) * Bout 4: RPE 8.5 (target range: 8-9) If the RPE falls outside the target zone for a given bout, participants will adjust their squat height accordingly. Lifestyle change advice will be given in booklet form in accordance with current NICE guidelines for hypertension. • Maintenance Phase (12-24 weeks) - focus on sustaining exercise and lifestyle behaviour changes

BEHAVIORAL

Lifestyle Change Advice

Lifestyle change advice given as per current standard care for hypertension

Sponsors & Collaborators

• HealthWorks Newcastle Upon Tyne

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Northumbria University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gabriel Cucato, PhD · Northumbria University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-02

Primary Completion

2027-08-31

Completion

2028-02-29

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations