Effects of Isometric Wall Squat Training on Blood Pressure in Adults With Hypertension

NCT07868822 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026GR0358
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether 12 weeks of isometric wall squat (IWS) exercise can improve blood pressure control and blood pressure variability in adults with essential hypertension. Blood pressure changes during daily activities and sleep will be assessed using a ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring device (CART BP). The primary outcome is the change in 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure after 12 weeks compared with standard hypertension care.

Conditions

Essential Hypertension

Keywords

Isometric Wall Squat; Isometric Exercise; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Variability; Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure

  Change in 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure measured using a ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring device (CART BP).

  Baseline to 12 weeks

• Change in 24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure

  Change in 24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure measured using a ring-type continuous blood pressure monitoring device (CART BP).

  Baseline to 12 weeks

• Change in office systolic blood pressure

  Change in office systolic blood pressure to evaluate ambulatory versus office blood pressure reduction.

  Baseline to 12 weeks

• Change in office diastolic blood pressure

  Change in office diastolic blood pressure to evaluate ambulatory versus office blood pressure reduction.

  Baseline to 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (15)

• Change in mean daytime systolic blood pressure

  Baseline to 12 weeks

• Change in mean daytime diastolic blood pressure

  Baseline to 12 weeks

• Change in mean nighttime systolic blood pressure

  Baseline to 12 weeks

• Change in mean nighttime diastolic blood pressure

  Baseline to 12 weeks

• Change in nocturnal systolic blood pressure dipping pattern

  Baseline to 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Isometric Wall Squat Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform a 12-week home-based isometric wall squat training program in addition to standard hypertension care.

Behavioral: Isometric Wall Squat (IWS) Exercise

Standard Care Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive standard hypertension care, including current antihypertensive medication and lifestyle education based on hypertension guidelines, without a structured isometric exercise program during the intervention period.

Other: Standard Hypertension Care

Interventions

Isometric Wall Squat (IWS) Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform home-based isometric wall squat (IWS) exercise three times per week for 12 weeks. Each session consists of four sets of up to 2 minutes, with 2-minute rest periods between sets. The target knee angle is individualized based on the baseline incremental IWS test. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion are monitored during exercise.

Isometric Wall Squat Training Group

Standard Hypertension Care OTHER

Participants receive standard hypertension care, including their current antihypertensive medication and lifestyle education based on hypertension guidelines. No structured isometric exercise program is provided during the intervention period.

Standard Care Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adult men and women aged 19 years or older
• Patients diagnosed with essential hypertension and undergoing outpatient follow-up
• Subjects whose antihypertensive medication has been stably maintained for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment
• Clinic blood pressure of systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥80 mmHg.
• Participants who are able to perform wall squats and who have provided written informed consent after receiving an explanation of the study and reviewing the informed consent form

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with unstable angina or a diagnosis of myocardial infarction or stroke within the past 6 months.
• Participants diagnosed with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III-IV heart failure, severe valvular heart disease, or severe arrhythmia.
• Participants with severe knee, hip, or spinal disorders that prevent them from performing wall squats.
• Participants with severe renal or hepatic disease or severe cognitive impairment.
• Participants who are currently pregnant or have the potential to become pregnant.
• Participants aged 65 years or older who have a score of 3-5 (frail) on the K-FRAIL scale. However, such participants may be allowed to participate on an individual basis, following consultation with the Principal Investigator, if the treating physician clinically determines that the intervention can be performed safely.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Korea University Guro Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Korea University Guro Hospital

Seoul, Seoul, 08308, South Korea

RECRUITING

Related Publications (11)

• Taylor KA, Wiles JD, Coleman DA, Leeson P, Sharma R, O'Driscoll JM. Neurohumoral and ambulatory haemodynamic adaptations following isometric exercise training in unmedicated hypertensive patients. J Hypertens. 2019 Apr;37(4):827-836. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001922.

  PMID: 30817465 BACKGROUND

• Lea JWD, O'Driscoll JM, Wiles JD. The implementation of a home-based isometric wall squat intervention using ratings of perceived exertion to select and control exercise intensity: a pilot study in normotensive and pre-hypertensive adults. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2024 Jan;124(1):281-293. doi: 10.1007/s00421-023-05269-2. Epub 2023 Jul 17.

  PMID: 37458822 BACKGROUND

• Cohen DD, Aroca-Martinez G, Carreno-Robayo J, Castaneda-Hernandez A, Herazo-Beltran Y, Camacho PA, Otero J, Martinez-Bello D, Lopez-Lopez JP, Lopez-Jaramillo P. Reductions in systolic blood pressure achieved by hypertensives with three isometric training sessions per week are maintained with a single session per week. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2023 Apr;25(4):380-387. doi: 10.1111/jch.14621. Epub 2023 Mar 25.

  PMID: 36965163 BACKGROUND

• Lee H, Park S, Kwon H, Cho B, Park JH, Lee HY. Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Ring-Type Blood Pressure Measurement Device Compared With 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Device. Korean Circ J. 2024 Feb;54(2):93-104. doi: 10.4070/kcj.2023.0303. Epub 2023 Dec 26.

  PMID: 38196118 BACKGROUND

• Wiles JD, Goldring N, Coleman D. Home-based isometric exercise training induced reductions resting blood pressure. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017 Jan;117(1):83-93. doi: 10.1007/s00421-016-3501-0. Epub 2016 Nov 16.

  PMID: 27853886 BACKGROUND

• Goldring N, Wiles JD, Coleman D. The effects of isometric wall squat exercise on heart rate and blood pressure in a normotensive population. J Sports Sci. 2014;32(2):129-36. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2013.809471. Epub 2013 Jul 24.

  PMID: 23879248 BACKGROUND

• Wiles, J. D., Goldring, N., O'Driscoll, J. M., Taylor, K. A., & Coleman, D. A. (2018). An alternative approach to isometric exercise training prescription for cardiovascular health. Transl J Am Coll Sports Med, 3(2), 10-8.

  BACKGROUND

• Edwards JJ, Wiles J, O'Driscoll J. Mechanisms for blood pressure reduction following isometric exercise training: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hypertens. 2022 Nov 1;40(11):2299-2306. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003261. Epub 2022 Aug 8.

  PMID: 35950976 BACKGROUND

• Gebreyohannes EA, Bhagavathula AS, Abebe TB, Tefera YG, Abegaz TM. Adverse effects and non-adherence to antihypertensive medications in University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Clin Hypertens. 2019 Jan 15;25:1. doi: 10.1186/s40885-018-0104-6. eCollection 2019.

  PMID: 30675379 BACKGROUND

• Mills KT, Bundy JD, Kelly TN, Reed JE, Kearney PM, Reynolds K, Chen J, He J. Global Disparities of Hypertension Prevalence and Control: A Systematic Analysis of Population-Based Studies From 90 Countries. Circulation. 2016 Aug 9;134(6):441-50. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.018912.

  PMID: 27502908 BACKGROUND

• GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators. Global burden of 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020 Oct 17;396(10258):1223-1249. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30752-2.

  PMID: 33069327 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Essential Hypertension

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hypertension; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Jin-Oh Na, MD, PhD

  Korea University Guro Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Jin-Oh Na, MD, PhD

CONTACT

82-2-2626-3025; koolup93@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the isometric wall squat exercise group or the standard hypertension care control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 28, 2026
• First Posted: October 9, 2026
• Study Start: September 29, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2029
• Last Updated: October 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Locations

KR (1)