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Isometric Resistance Exercise on Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Hypertension

Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong • ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07665034

Registry updated: 2026-09-11

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Description

Background: Hypertension (HT) is the most common condition worldwide, predisposing to atherosclerotic disease. However, most HT patients have suboptimal BP control despite anti-HT medications. Isometric resistance exercise (IRE) (e.g. wall squat) may improve BP control, characterized by sustained muscle contraction with minimal change in muscle length and joint angle. Most randomized trials of IRE are short duration and their long-term effects on BP and atherosclerotic complications, particularly in the Chinese, remain unknown. Study objectives: (i) To evaluate the impact of IRE on atherogenesis surrogates (brachial flow-mediated dilation, FMD and carotid intima-media thickness IMT). (ii) To evaluate the impact of IRE on mechanisms of atherogenesis improvement, inflammatory parameters, arterial wall stiffness and biochemical profiles. Setting: Randomized samples of 200 HT patients, aged \>18years with systolic BP 135-160mHg while on no or stable anti-HT medications. Design: Randomized controlled IRE trial - stratified randomization with randomization block size of 4. 1. 100 patients for wall squat exercise of 14 mins each session (2 mins IRE x 4 sets, 2 mins rest in between), 3 sessions per week, for 1 year, plus advice on healthy diet and lifestyle. 2. 100 control patients (usual care) with advice on diet and healthy lifestyles and simple stretching exercise programme for 1 year. Main outcome measures: 1. Brachial FMD and carotid IMT at baseline, 24 weeks and 1 year. (primary outcome) 2. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) at baseline and 24 weeks. (secondary outcome) 3. Important atherosclerosis risk factor parameters at baseline, 24 weeks and 1 year - including fasting serum glucose, lipid profiles, HgbA1-C, creatinine, hs-CRP, CBP, fibrinogen, and interleukin 6 (IL-6). (secondary outcome) 4. Safety profiles (if any) including CVS event and hospitalization at 1 year. Expected results: A group absolute difference in FMD of 1%, and in carotid IMT of 0.06mm between IRE intervention and control groups. Implications: IRE as suggested will be beneficial to management of HT for atherosclerosis preventions.

Interventions

Squatting Exercise (Other)
14 minutes per session (2 mins x 4 sets, 2 mins rest in between, 3 session per week)
Stretching (Yoga) Exercise (Other)
2 mins x 4 sets, 2 mins rest in between, 3 sessions per week

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. asymptomatic clinically stable adults 2. aged \>18 years 3. Both genders 4. Suboptimal BP (on stable medication) with SBP 135-160mmHG on ambulatory BP monitoring (AMBP) 5. Agreeable to no drug changes in coming 1 year 24 weeks 6. Agreeable to provide informed written consent form 7. Agreeable to have AMBP and ultrasonic (FMD \& IMT) scan third (baseline, 24 weeks and preferably 1 year) Exclusion Criteria: 1. relative contraindications to AMBP (e.g. atrial fibrillation) 2. severe osteoarthritis of knee 3. known secondary HT 4. pregnancy/breastfeeding 5. active malignancy 6. Serious coronary profiles, (unstable angina), renal or hepatic derangement 7. Need to change medications for control BP at 24 weeks ( SBP\>160 mmHg)

Conditions

Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Disease

Locations

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics — Shatin, Hong Kong

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Official Source

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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