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NCT07665034Recruiting

Isometric Resistance Exercise on Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Hypertension

The Impact of Isometric Resistance Exercise on Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Hypertension: A Substudy of Randomized Controlled Trial

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 30 Oct 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

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.

Status (registry)
Recruiting
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
200 (estimated)
First submitted
17 Sept 2025
Start date
16 Apr 2025
Primary completion date
30 Jul 2027
Lead sponsor
Chinese University of Hong Kong
NCT number
NCT07665034

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional
  • Planned participants: 200
  • From 16 Apr 2025 to the primary completion date, 30 Jul 2027
  • 1 site in 1 country
  • Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Prior treatment

  • Resistant HT, require \> 3 anti-HT medications at maximum doses, or \> 4 medications for BP control

Other illness

  • active malignancy

Other

  • relative contraindications to AMBP (e.g. atrial fibrillation)
  • severe osteoarthritis of knee
  • known secondary HT
  • Systolic BP \>160 mmHg or diastolic BP \>100 mmHg on ABBP monitoring at baseline or at 12 weeks follow up (to ensure safety)
  • pregnancy/breastfeeding

Who the study is looking for

  • asymptomatic clinically stable adults
  • aged \>18 years
  • No regular physical activites
  • Suboptimal BP (on stable medication) with SBP 135-160mmHG on ambulatory BP monitoring (AMBP)
  • Agreeable to no drug changes during the interventional period (24 weeks)
  • Agreeable to provide informed written consent form
  • Agreeable to have AMBP and ultrasonic (FMD \& IMT) scan thrice (baseline, 24 weeks and preferably 1 year)

Age in the registry: 18 years to 80 years · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.

SiteCityCountrySite status
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics
Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status
ShatinHong Kong SAR ChinaRecruiting

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.