Handgrip exercise for older adults with high blood pressure, tested in a community setting
Tests a 4-week handgrip exercise program in older adults with high blood pressure.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- McMaster University
- Where
- Hamilton, CanadaSee the 2 sites
- Trial code
- Registry title
- Feasibility of a Community-Integrated Isometric Handgrip Exercise Program and Its Preliminary Effects on Blood Pressure and Cognitive Function in Older Adults
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 30 people, planned
- Started
- 18 Aug 2026
- Expected to end
- 15 Apr 2027
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Zona Plus 4-Week Isometric Handgrip Exercise Intervention
- Squegg 4-Week Isometric Handgrip Exercise Intervention
- Record updated
- 7 October 2026
Who can take part
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults aged 65 or older with high or raised blood pressure who attend an exercise centre at McMaster University. It tests a short handgrip exercise program.
- Age
- 65 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Diagnosed with hypertension or elevated blood pressure.
- Earlier treatment
- People who currently or previously did long-term isometric exercise cannot join. Blood pressure medicine type or dose must not have changed in the 3 months before the study starts.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Current or past long-term isometric exercise
- Unstable angina
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Uncontrolled heart failure or heart rhythm problems
- Recent heart attack or ECG changes
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 13 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- 65 years of age or older
- Currently attending the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence at McMaster University
- English speaking
- Diagnosed with hypertension or elevated blood pressure
Who cannot take part
- Current or prior participation in chronic isometric exercise
- Changes to the type and/or dose of blood pressure medications within 3 months of starting the study
- Unstable angina
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Uncontrolled heart failure and/or arrhythmias
- Recent myocardial infarction or electrocardiography changes
- Complete heart block
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis that may be aggravated by handgrip exercise
Where in Canada
- NeuroFit Lab, Ivor Wynne Centre, McMaster UniversityHamilton, CanadaContact: Jennifer Heisz, PhDTaking people
- Physical Activity Centre of Excellence, Ivor Wynne Centre, McMaster UniversityHamilton, CanadaContact: Jennifer Heisz, PhDTaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a short, supervised isometric handgrip exercise program is feasible and acceptable for older adults with elevated blood pressure or hypertension. It will also explore whether this type of exercise may improve blood pressure and cognitive function.
Read full original descriptionShow less
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Is this handgrip exercise program practical and acceptable for older adults to participate in within a community exercise setting? * Does participation in the program lead to changes in blood pressure and cognitive function?
Researchers will compare two handgrip devices to determine whether the method of delivering the exercise influences feasibility and outcomes.
Participants will:
* Be randomly assigned to use one of two handgrip devices. * Complete supervised exercise sessions twice per week for 4 weeks. * Perform brief handgrip contractions at a set intensity during each session. * Complete blood pressure and cognitive assessments before and after the program.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Squegg Handgrip DeviceExisting treatment, for comparison
Participants in this arm will complete a supervised, 4-week isometric handgrip exercise intervention using the Squegg smartphone-compatible handgrip device.
Treatment: Squegg 4-Week Isometric Handgrip Exercise Intervention
- Zona Plus Handgrip DeviceExisting treatment, for comparison
Participants in this arm will complete a supervised, 4-week isometric handgrip exercise intervention using the Zona Plus handgrip dynamometer.
Treatment: Zona Plus 4-Week Isometric Handgrip Exercise Intervention
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Feasibility of a Community-Integrated Isometric Handgrip Exercise Program and Its Preliminary Effects on Blood Pressure and Cognitive Function in Older Adults
- Plain-language title
- Handgrip exercise for older adults with high blood pressure, tested in a community settingGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 13 November 2026.
- Record updated
- 7 October 2026