An interventional study of Isometric Wall Squat (IWS) Exercise and Standard Hypertension Care in Essential Hypertension, sponsored by Korea University Guro Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in South Korea. Open to participants aged 19 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-09.
Sponsored by Korea University Guro Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether 12 weeks of isometric wall squat (IWS) exercise can improve blood pressure control and blood pressure variability in adults with essential hypertension. Blood pressure changes during daily activities and sleep will be assessed using a ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring device (CART BP). The primary outcome is the change in 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure after 12 weeks compared with standard hypertension care.
This study is a single-center, randomized controlled trial evaluating the antihypertensive effects of isometric wall squat (IWS) exercise in adults with essential hypertension.
Approximately 100 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the IWS exercise group or the control group. The IWS exercise group will perform home-based isometric wall squat exercise three times per week for 12 weeks. Each exercise session will consist of four sets of up to 2 minutes, with 2-minute rest periods between sets. Exercise intensity will be individualized based on the participant's baseline incremental IWS test.
The control group will continue standard hypertension care, including current antihypertensive medication and lifestyle education based on hypertension guidelines, without a structured isometric exercise program during the intervention period.
Blood pressure will be assessed using CART BP, a ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring device, for 24 hours at baseline and at 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include 24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure, daytime and nighttime blood pressure, morning blood pressure, dipping/non-dipping pattern, blood pressure variability, office blood pressure, physical function, quality of life, exercise self-efficacy, and exercise adherence.
Participants will undergo baseline assessment, an intermediate assessment at 4-6 weeks, and a final assessment at 12 weeks. Participants who wish to continue follow-up may undergo an additional assessment approximately 6 months after completion of the intervention.
538 studies on the registry are indexed under Essential Hypertension; 76 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 100 is below the median of 166 across 458 interventional studies indexed under Essential Hypertension.
Browse Essential Hypertension studies →Korea University Guro Hospital is the lead sponsor of 89 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants perform a 12-week home-based isometric wall squat training program in addition to standard hypertension care.
Behavioral: Isometric Wall Squat (IWS) Exercise
Participants receive standard hypertension care, including current antihypertensive medication and lifestyle education based on hypertension guidelines, without a structured isometric exercise program during the intervention period.
Other: Standard Hypertension Care
Participants perform home-based isometric wall squat (IWS) exercise three times per week for 12 weeks. Each session consists of four sets of up to 2 minutes, with 2-minute rest periods between sets. The target knee angle is individualized based on the baseline incremental IWS test. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion are monitored during exercise.
Participants receive standard hypertension care, including their current antihypertensive medication and lifestyle education based on hypertension guidelines. No structured isometric exercise program is provided during the intervention period.
Change in 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure
Change in 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure measured using a ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring device (CART BP).
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in 24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure
Change in 24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure measured using a ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring device (CART BP).
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in office systolic blood pressure
Change in office systolic blood pressure to evaluate ambulatory versus office blood pressure reduction.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in office diastolic blood pressure
Change in office diastolic blood pressure to evaluate ambulatory versus office blood pressure reduction.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in mean daytime systolic blood pressure
Change in mean daytime systolic blood pressure measured using CART BP.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in mean daytime diastolic blood pressure
Change in mean daytime diastolic blood pressure measured using CART BP.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in mean nighttime systolic blood pressure
Change in mean nighttime systolic blood pressure measured using CART BP.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in mean nighttime diastolic blood pressure
Change in mean nighttime diastolic blood pressure measured using CART BP.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in nocturnal systolic blood pressure dipping pattern
Assessment of nocturnal systolic blood pressure dipping pattern (dipping vs. non-dipping).
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in nocturnal diastolic blood pressure dipping pattern
Assessment of nocturnal diastolic blood pressure dipping pattern (dipping vs. non-dipping).
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in blood pressure variability evaluated by standard deviation
Assessment of blood pressure variability evaluated by standard deviation (SD).
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in blood pressure variability evaluated by coefficient of variation
Assessment of blood pressure variability evaluated by coefficient of variation (CV).
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in blood pressure variability evaluated by average real variability
Assessment of blood pressure variability evaluated by average real variability (ARV).
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in 30-second chair stand test performance
Change in the number of repetitions completed during the 30-second chair stand test.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in maximal handgrip strength
Change in maximal handgrip strength measured in kilograms (kg) using a hand dynamometer.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in target knee angle maintenance time during incremental isometric wall squat test
Change in target knee angle maintenance time (measured in seconds) during the incremental isometric wall squat (IWS) test.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in heart rate response during incremental isometric wall squat test
Change in heart rate response (measured in beats per minute) during the incremental isometric wall squat (IWS) test.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in physical activity level
Change in total physical activity measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ).
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Change in perceived stress score
Change in perceived stress level assessed using the Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (K-PSS-10). Total scores range from 0 to 40, where higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Plan to share: Undecided
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Korea University Guro Hospital