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Feasibility of a Community-Integrated Isometric Handgrip Exercise Program and Its Preliminary Effects on Blood Pressure and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

NCT07648498 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 30

Last updated 2026-06-15

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a short, supervised isometric handgrip exercise program is feasible and acceptable for older adults with elevated blood pressure or hypertension. It will also explore whether this type of exercise may improve blood pressure and cognitive function.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Is this handgrip exercise program practical and acceptable for older adults to participate in within a community exercise setting?
* Does participation in the program lead to changes in blood pressure and cognitive function?

Researchers will compare two handgrip devices to determine whether the method of delivering the exercise influences feasibility and outcomes.

Participants will:

* Be randomly assigned to use one of two handgrip devices.
* Complete supervised exercise sessions twice per week for 4 weeks.
* Perform brief handgrip contractions at a set intensity during each session.
* Complete blood pressure and cognitive assessments before and after the program.

Conditions

Interventions

OTHER

Zona Plus 4-Week Isometric Handgrip Exercise Intervention

This intervention consists of a supervised, low-dose isometric handgrip exercise program delivered over 4 weeks using the Zona Plus handgrip dynamometer. Participants will complete two sessions per week, each consisting of 4x2-minute isometric handgrip contractions performed at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, with 1-minute rest periods between contractions. Contractions will be performed using alternating hands. All sessions will be conducted in person and supervised by trained research staff at the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence, and the intervention will completed before participants' existing exercise routines. Ratings of perceived exertion will be recorded following each contraction.

OTHER

Squegg 4-Week Isometric Handgrip Exercise Intervention

This intervention consists of a supervised, low-dose isometric handgrip exercise program delivered over 4 weeks using the Squegg handgrip device. Participants will complete two sessions per week, each consisting of 4x2-minute isometric handgrip contractions performed at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, with 1-minute rest periods between contractions. Contractions will be performed using alternating hands. All sessions will be conducted in person and supervised by trained research staff at the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence, and the intervention will completed before participants' existing exercise routines. Ratings of perceived exertion will be recorded following each contraction.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Principal Investigators

  • Jennifer Heisz, PhD · McMaster University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-07-28
Primary Completion
2026-09-15
Completion
2026-09-15

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

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Diseases
Companies

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07648498 on ClinicalTrials.gov