Squeeze away hypertension? handgrip device put to the test
NCT ID NCT06843577
First seen Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026
Summary
This trial tests whether using a handgrip device for isometric exercise can lower blood pressure in people with elevated blood pressure or hypertension who are not on medication. Half the participants will use the Zona Plus handgrip device, while the other half will listen to relaxing music as a control. The study aims to see if this simple, drug-free approach can meaningfully reduce systolic blood pressure after 10 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- isometric handgrip exercise therapy using the Zona Plus device
- What this could lead to
- If effective, handgrip therapy could offer a drug-free way to manage high blood pressure.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small trial, and the effect may be modest or no better than relaxation therapy. Handgrip exercise may not be suitable for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 160 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2025
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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22 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Subject is male or female age 22 or older 2. Diagnosed with elevated blood pressure or hypertension and verified during Visit #1 by standardized seated cuff SBP 3. Have not taken antihypertensive medication for ≥30 days prior to the SEPV 4. Subject is expected to have sufficient vision, hearing, and hand strength (hand strength is demonstrated by a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) equaling 35 units of force in both hands measured by a dynamometer 5. Subject has baseline BP measurements collected and completes study device training during Baseline Assessment (Visit #1); 6. Subject agrees to maintain non-use of medications and over-the-counter (OTC) supplement regimen related to hypertension throughout the treatment phase; 7. Patient can comply with and agrees to complete all required study procedures, study clinic visits, and associated activities; 8. Patient must be able to understand and give written informed consent in the language provided; 9. Subject must have SBP of 130 to ≤149 mmHg, if subjects present with SBP reading of ≥140mmHg they will receive heightened monitoring throughout the first month of the study Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subject is a female of childbearing potential (e.g., not postmenopausal for at least one year or has not had a hysterectomy or tubal ligation) not using medically effective birth control (e.g., hormonal methods in use at least 30 days prior to screening or barrier methods such as condom and spermicide in use at least 14 days prior to visit 1) or is pregnant, lactating, or plans to become pregnant during the study). 2. BP ≥150 mmHg (systolic) and/or \>90 mmHg (diastolic) 3. A history of heart failure with current New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III- IV functional classification 4. Currently has, or has had a history, of atrial fibrillation, in accordance with 2007 Heart Rhythm Society (HRS)/European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)/European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS) guidelines 5. Patient has experienced hospitalization due to a hypertensive emergency, with impending or progressive target organ dysfunction (i.e., renal dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy or CNS involvement) within the past six (6) months 6. A \>10 mmHg difference in seated cuff SBP between the right and left arms collected during the SEPV; 7. Unstable BP, defined as \>5 mmHg variance between any two (2) consecutive weekly readings (with a maximum of four (4) attempts) to determine a baseline BP measurement ; 8. Arm circumference greater than 45 cm; 9. Acute illness, infection, or inflammation 10. Presence of any unstable cardiovascular disorder, such as MI, unstable angina, significant arrhythmia, stroke, or TIA; within the last six (6) months, or other serious comorbidity that would be likely to impact life expectancy to less than one (1) year or limit patient cooperation or study compliance; 11. A history of rest or exertional angina pectoris in the previous six (6) months; 12. History of solid organ transplant 13. Any secondary form of hypertension (HTN) etiology, including but not limited to primary aldosteronism, chronic steroid therapy and Cushing syndrome, pheochromocytoma, aorta coarctation or untreated thyroid or parathyroid disease; 14. Concurrent participation in an investigational clinical study that has not completed the follow-up period or planned participation in another study within the next six (6) months; 15. Patient has any other condition or personal circumstance that, in the judgment of the investigator, might interfere with the collection of complete, good quality data or the completion of the research study; 16. Patients who currently own or have owned another Zona Plus device and are, or have been, voluntarily performing the isometric handgrip activities. 17. Subject plans for greater than 10% of body weight loss/gain (10% of body weight over a 6-month period) during the study
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
10 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Aavon Clinical Trials
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77074, United States
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Bayview Research Group
RECRUITINGValley Village, California, 91607, United States
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Cedar Crosse Research Center
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60607, United States
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Circuit Clinical Grave Gilbert
RECRUITINGBowling Green, Kentucky, 42101, United States
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Community DPC
RECRUITINGCleveland, Tennessee, 37312, United States
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Comprehensive Medical & Research
RECRUITINGPlantation, Florida, 33317, United States
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Focus Clinical Research
RECRUITINGWest Hills, California, 91307, United States
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Preferred Primary Care Physicians - Pittsburgh
RECRUITINGPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15243, United States
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Preferred Primary Care Physicians - Washington
RECRUITINGWashington, Pennsylvania, 15301, United States
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Zenos Clinical Research
RECRUITINGDallas, Texas, 75230, United States
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