Exploring IHG Training in CR

Launched by LONDON HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE RESEARCH INSTITUTE OR LAWSON RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ST. JOSEPH'S · Jun 6, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating whether a specific type of exercise called isometric handgrip (IHG) training can lower resting blood pressure in people who are participating in cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation is a program designed to help people recover from heart problems, and the researchers want to see if adding IHG training to the standard rehabilitation can provide additional benefits. In this study, eligible participants will be randomly divided into two groups: one group will do IHG training along with their regular rehabilitation exercises, and the other group will only participate in the standard rehabilitation program. Participants in the IHG group will use an inflatable ball for the training three times a week for 12 weeks and will be asked to measure and report their blood pressure at home.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be adults aged 18 or older who can understand English and have been cleared by their healthcare provider to participate in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. They should also have a history of coronary artery disease but not other serious heart conditions. Throughout the study, researchers will check in with participants to see how they are doing and to understand how the IHG training affects their mental well-being. This study aims to help improve heart health and find out if the additional training is enjoyable and beneficial for those in cardiac rehabilitation.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Component adult (greater ≥ 18 years) who can provide informed consent.
• • Proficient in English (speaking, writing, and reading).
• • Medically cleared by the cardiac rehabilitation program to participate in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.
• • History of only coronary artery disease, the most common cardiovascular disease (CVD), which may include individuals with a previous myocardial infarction and/or procedure such as a percutaneous coronary intervention and/or coronary artery bypass grafting.
• • Minimum of "blue" level of technology capability (assigned by the cardiac rehabilitation program) indicating ability to use a phone and email for correspondence. Note: The majority of individuals who enroll in the cardiac rehabilitation program are assigned to this level.
• • No physical limitation(s) that would hinder the performance of isometric handgrip training.
• • Access to a blood pressure monitoring device to record at home measures.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • If the participant does not meet the inclusion criteria (identified above).
• • Moreover if an individual has a history of a CVD or disease-related complications (e.g., heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, aortic aneurysm, valve repair and/or replacement) and/or related procedures (e.g., placement of a pacemaker and/or implantable cardiac defibrillator) that is not coronary artery disease (as described in the inclusion criteria) they will be excluded.
• • Note: Individuals may have other comorbidities.