Submission ID 118366
| Issue/Objective | Hypertension (HTN), or high blood pressure, is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In Uganda, studies have estimated HTN prevalence in adults between 19-32%, with only 7-9% controlled within clinical target ranges. Isometric Handgrip Training (IHT) is a promising simple and low-cost intervention consisting of doing multiple static forearm contraction on a stress ball, separated by short resting periods. A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of conducting IHT with stress balls to manage blood pressure of hypertensive patients. |
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| Methodology/Approach | The pilot study was conducted at the Soft Power Health clinic in rural Eastern Uganda from October 2022 to February 2023. Twenty-two hypertensive adults (>140/90 mmHg) taking no more than one anti-hypertensive medication were recruited. Participants completed three IHT sessions per week for sixteen weeks, either in-person at the clinic or by phone with a research nurse. Questionnaires and blood pressure were measured at baseline, midline and endline. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted at endline with participants and research nurses. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and paired t-tests were applied for mean difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between time points. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive content analysis. |
| Results | Most participants were women (73%), and aged 50 or older (59%). Mean differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels between baseline and endline (systolic p-value < 0.0001, and diastolic p-value < 0.005), and between baseline and midline. At endline, 95% of participants reported appreciated the IHT sessions and 100% felt confident about completing the sessions. (systolic p-value < 0.0001, and diastolic p-value < 0.05) were statistically significant. Sixteen participants took part in focus group discussions and expressed motivation to continue IHT due to observing physical or emotional benefits. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This study supports the feasibility of IHT with a stress ball as an alternative intervention for hypertension management in Uganda. This work directly informed an ongoing randomized controlled trial aiming to assess the efficacy of IHT for blood pressure control of stage 1 hypertensive patients at the Soft Power Health clinic. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Margot Barbosa Da Torre Université de Montréal Cora Siebert McGill University Laura Pierce Université de Montréal Katia Charland Université de Montréal Henry Isabirye Soft Power Health Charles Kalumuna Soft Power Health Agaba Katureebe Soft Power Health Paula Van Wyk University of Windsor Stella Nabirye Soft Power Health Phillip Levy Wayne State University Jessie Stone Soft Power Health Cheri McGowan University of Windsor Kate Zinszer Université de Montréal |
