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NCT Number: NCT07213479

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Hypertension (HTN) Cardiovascular Diseases Hypertension Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Northumbria University

Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, United Kingdom

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Helen Llewellyn, MSc

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of Arterial Hypertension (AH) in accordance with NICE guidelines.
  • Under pharmacological treatment for AH with antihypertensive drug, type and dose maintained for the previous four months.
  • Blood Pressure with values <180 and <110 mmHg for office systolic and diastolic BP, respectively.
  • Not currently engaged in any structured or supervised exercise training programme, including resistance, aerobic, or isometric exercise, defined as planned exercise performed ≥2 times per week at moderate or greater intensity, for at least three months prior to enrolment.
  • Written informed consent provided.

Exclusion criteria

  • Body mass index >35 kg/m2.
  • Presence of cardiovascular disease beyond hypertension.
  • Known orthopaedic, musculoskeletal, or neurological conditions that restrain isometric exercise execution.
  • Presence of secondary hypertension
  • Inability to follow verbal instructions or complete study protocol

Treatment and study plan

Isometric Exercise and Lifestyle Change Advice

Behavioral

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

Other names: Static Strength Training, Behaviour Change

Lifestyle Change Advice

Behavioral

Lifestyle change advice given as per current standard care for hypertension

Other names: Behavioural Change

Primary outcomes

  1. Feasibility of Intervention

    Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks

    Feasibility will be determined by the rate of screening, eligibility, recruitment, and retention at 12 and 24 weeks.

  2. Feasibility of Intervention

    Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks

    Feasibility will be determined by adherence to the intervention (number of sessions attended and completed)

  3. Acceptability of Intervention

    Time frame: Post 24 weeks

    Participant acceptability will be determined through a qualitative process evaluation involving semi-structured interviews. The interviews will identify action mechanisms, examine experiences, barriers, facilitators, and behaviour change strategies, with a diverse sample to reflect varied demographics. Participants will be asked about their experience of participating in the study, thoughts, and attitudes towards the intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Office and Ambulatory Blood Pressure

    Time frame: Baseline to 24 weeks.

    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.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Gabriel Cucato, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

Helen Llewellyn, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

+447949026070

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northumbria University

Other

Collaborators

  • HealthWorks Newcastle Upon Tyne

Registry information

Official study title

Feasibility and Acceptability of Remote Home-Based Isometric Exercise and Lifestyle Change for the Management of Hypertension

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Oct 9, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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