Getting a GRIP on Hypertension in Uganda: Giving Repetitive Isometric Exercise for Blood Pressure Control (GRIP in Uganda)

The GRIP in Uganda study is a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) conducted at the Allan Stone Community Health Clinic (Soft Power Health) in rural Uganda. This study aims to determine the efficacy of 12 weeks of Isometric Handgrip Training (IHT) on blood pressure levels compared to usual care in a population of hypertensive (stage 1) patients.

IHT is a form of resistance training consisting of doing multiple static forearm contractions on a stress ball, separated by short periods of rest. IHT is a promising simple and low-cost intervention for hypertension management.

Learn more about our partner, the Soft Power Health clinic, here.

Funding by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Investigators and collaborators: Henry Isabirye, Cheri McGowan, Jessie Stone, Charles Kalumuna, Geofrey Musinguzi, Stella Nabirye, Paula Van Wyk, Philip Levy, Gerald Mutungi, Katia Charland.

Research team: Agaba Katureebe, Andrew, Rebecca and Margaret