An interventional study of Isometric Exercise and Lifestyle Change Advice and Lifestyle Change Advice in Hypertension (HTN), sponsored by Northumbria University. Recruiting at 1 site in United Kingdom. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-03.
Sponsored by Northumbria University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
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 study, participants will be interviewed to gather their views and opinions on the programme. Changes in blood pressure will be evaluated at 12 and 24 weeks.
By exploring whether lifestyle advice and 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.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants randomised to this group will undertake a remotely supervised 12-week home-based isometric exercise training intervention 3 times per week. The bilateral leg isometric exercise consists of 5-stage wall squat position determined by individual calculations at baseline. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) will be monitored throughout the intervention and used to guide the squat stage position. Lifestyle change advice will be given in accordance with NICE guidelines for hypertension. Participants will receive a smartwatch (Huawei D2) to monitor their daily physical activity (step count) and record their home blood pressure.
Behavioral: Isometric Exercise and Lifestyle Change Advice
Participants randomised to this group will not receive any intervention other than lifestyle change advice in accordance with NICE guidelines for hypertension. Participants will receive a smartwatch (Huawei D2) to monitor their daily physical activity (step count) and record their home blood pressure.
Behavioral: 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
Also known as: Static Strength Training, Behaviour Change
Lifestyle change advice given as per current standard care for hypertension
Also known as: Behavioural Change
Feasibility of Intervention
Feasibility will be determined by the rate of screening, eligibility, recruitment, and retention at 12 and 24 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Feasibility of Intervention
Feasibility will be determined by adherence to the intervention (number of sessions attended and completed)
Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks
Acceptability of Intervention
Participant acceptability will be determined through a qualitative process evaluation involving semi-structured interviews. The interviews will explore experience with study participation (informed consent process, time commitment), the acceptability of measures (readability, burden), and experiences, thoughts, and attitudes toward current usual care.
Time frame: Post 24 weeks
Office and Ambulatory Blood Pressure
Blood pressure will be measured in mmHg via office and ambulatory methods. Office BP will be taken in a seated position in accordance with resting BP protocols. Ambulatory BP monitoring will be performed with a non-invasive oscillometric device placed on the nondominant arm and programmed to perform measurements every 15 minutes for 24 hours. The secondary outcome is the change in mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks.
Plan to share: No
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Northumbria University