Effect of home-based isometric handgrip exercise with a commercially available device on blood pressure in older adults with hypertension: A randomized controlled trial.

The intervention group showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure after 8 weeks of home-based isometric handgrip exercise.

• SBP reduction in the intervention group was -7.33 ± 9.63 mmHg (P = 0.011).
• The between-group difference in SBP reduction was -8.19 mmHg (P = 0.03), which was statistically significant.
• The intervention group (n = 15) performed isometric handgrip exercises using spring devices at 20-50% MVC.
• Exercise was performed 3 times/week for 8 weeks (4 sets of 2-minute holds, 1-minute rest between sets).

The intervention group also showed a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure.

• DBP reduction in the intervention group was -3.6 ± 5.79 mmHg (P = 0.03).
• The between-group difference in DBP did not reach statistical significance, as only SBP reduction showed a significant between-group difference.
• The control group performed non-resistive handgrip exercises under the same frequency and duration protocol.

Grip strength improved in both the intervention and control groups.

• Grip strength improvement was observed in both groups.
• The between-group difference in grip strength was not reported as statistically significant.
• Participants were required to have a handgrip maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of 10-40 kg to be eligible for enrollment.

The home-based isometric handgrip exercise protocol was safe and associated with high satisfaction in the intervention group.

• No complications were reported in either group during the 8-week trial.
• Satisfaction was reported as high in the intervention group.
• The device used was a commercially available spring handgrip device, described as inexpensive and home-based.

The study enrolled hypertensive older adults with specific eligibility criteria related to age and grip strength.

• Thirty hypertensive participants aged over 60 years were enrolled and randomized into two groups of 15 each.
• Eligible participants were required to have a handgrip MVC of 10-40 kg.
• The trial was conducted at the Comprehensive Geriatric Clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
• The intervention used spring devices set at 20-50% MVC intensity.