Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Two Isometric Exercises in the Reduction of the Blood Pressure in People With Resistant Hypertension

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Hypertension remains the main preventable cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality, both in Europe and globally. Resistant hypertension, a severe phenotype of hypertension, is defined as a blood pressure (BP) that remains above the management goal despite using three different antihypertensive agents of different classes at the maximum or maximum tolerated dose, or controlled BP on four or more antihypertensive medications. Hypertension remains a poorly controlled risk factor on a global scale and the prevalence of resistant hypertension is also growing - it is now estimated to be around 10-20%. At the moment, there is robust evidence establishing the antihypertensive effects of exercise. The acute reduction of BP after a single bout of exercise is known as post-exercise hypotension. In recent years, the number of investigations into the benefits of isometric exercise in the treatment of hypertension has increased, due to its ease of access and potential for use. In a recently published meta-analysis, the authors pointed to isometric exercise as the most effective type of exercise in reducing systolic and diastolic BP. Given the scarceness of data regarding the safety and efficacy of isometric exercise in individuals with resistant hypertension and since the acute response to exercise may help to identify people who respond to exercise as antihypertensive therapy, the objective of this study is to analyse the acute effect on BP levels of two different isometric exercises - isometric handgrip (IHG) and isometric wall squat (IWS), regarding safety and efficacy, in people with resistant hypertension. The aim is to analyse if isometric exercises are safe in this population, through the assessment of BP during the execution of the exercises. Besides that, the comparison of IHG and IWS with the control session and between one and another, will help to understand which form of isometric exercise is most effective and has the longest lasting impact on reducing BP. Each participant must complete an acclimatization session, in which the procedures will be explained, data will be collected and the intensity of IHG and IWS will be assessed. Subsequently, each participant must complete three randomly assigned experimental sessions: a non-exercise control session and two exercise sessions, in which they will follow the protocols currently used in the literature (IHG at 30% of Maximum Voluntary Contraction and IWS at 95% of peak Heart Rate).

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 40
Maximum Age: 75
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Adults aged 40 to 75 years old, previously diagnosed with resistant hypertension, and on stable medication for at least 6 months.

Locations
Other Locations
Portugal
Local Health Unit of the Aveiro Region
RECRUITING
Aveiro
Contact Information
Primary
José Lopes, Master
up201410536@edu.fade.up.pt
+351913101958
Backup
José Oliveira, PhD
joliveira@fade.up.pt
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-07-11
Estimated Completion Date: 2024-09
Participants
Target number of participants: 15
Treatments
No_intervention: Control Session
Each participant will remain in a seated position, resting, for 40 minutes.
Experimental: Isometric Handgrip Session
After remain in a seated position, resting, for 15 minutes, each participant will perform 4 repetitions of 2 minutes, alternating hands, maintaining the handgrip at a strength value of 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) obtained in the initial test, with 1 minute of rest between each repetition. The exercise will be performed in a seated position. Participants will be encouraged to breathe normally and avoid the Valsalva maneuver.
Experimental: Isometric Wall Squat Session
After remain in a seated position, resting, for 15 minutes, each participant will perform 4 repetitions of 2 minutes, maintaining the squat position with their back against the wall, with 2 minutes of rest (in a seated position) between each repetition. The knee joint angle will be defined using a fixed goniometer attached with Velcro to the thigh and leg. This angle corresponds to the knee position at 95% of the peak HR achieved during the initial incremental test. Participants will be encouraged to breathe normally and avoid the Valsalva maneuver.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Collaborators: Aveiro University
Leads: Universidade do Porto

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov