Home‐based isometric handgrip training on RBP in hypertensive adults—Partial preliminary findings from RCT

Objective The aim of this study is to confirm whether 8 weeks of home‐based isometric handgrip (IHG) training would reduce resting blood pressure (RBP) in an adult Indian population. Methodology Hypertensive patients (Stage 1 [previously prehypertension] and Stage 2 [previously Stage 1 hypertension]) aged 30–45 years, male and female, were included. Intervention: Two groups were included (active control group and IHG training group at 30% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction). Outcomes of this study were resting pulse rate (PR) and RBP, which were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks. Stratified randomization was done by sex and hypertension grade. The study was a double‐blind intervention (both participants and the assessor were blinded to intervention allotment). Results Forty hypertensive individuals were randomly assigned to a control (N = 20) and an 8‐week home‐based IHG training (N = 20) using a stratified random sampling technique. Each training session consisted of 4 × 2 min bouts with a 4‐min rest between bouts for 8 weeks. Resting PR and RBP were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, there was a significant reduction in blood pressure and PR values in the IHG group as compared with those in the control group: systolic blood pressure (mean difference, MD −8.75 mmHg; 95% CI [−6.51, −10.39]); diastolic blood pressure (MD −8.35 mmHg; 95% CI [−6.25, −10.45]); mean arterial pressure (MD −8.13 mmHg; 95% CI [−6.21, −10.05]); and PR (MD −8.90 mmHg; 95% CI [−5.08, −12.72]. Conclusion On the basis of study findings, home‐based IHG training can be used as an adjunct to control BP in the initial stage of hypertension in an Indian population.