Effect of a home-based isometric handgrip training programme on systolic blood pressure in adults: A randomised assessor-blinded trial

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of 20 weeks of home-based isometric handgrip training (IHT) compared with usual care on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in adults. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a randomised, controlled, assessor-blinded trial. Participants were randomised to either IHT (intervention group) or usual care (control group). INTERVENTIONS: Participants randomised to the intervention group performed a session of 16 min of effective workout home-based IHT three times per week for 20 weeks. Participants randomised to the control group were asked to continue their daily activities as usual. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was the difference in SBP between groups over 20 weeks. Secondary outcomes were diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, handgrip strength, and self-administered home blood pressure measures. RESULTS: = 0.04) - favouring the usual care group. No differences between groups were found in any of the home blood pressure measurements. CONCLUSIONS: This trial showed that 20 weeks of home-based isometric handgrip training was not superior compared to the usual care in lowering SBP.