Handgrip Exercise Training and CKD
Neural and Vascular Modulation With Isometric Handgrip Training in Chronic Kidney Disease
Emory University
50 participants
Apr 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of this study is to find out if regular handgrip exercise performed at home can improve blood pressure at rest and during exercise in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study is also intended to understand what causes an increase in blood pressure at rest and during exercise (i.e., increased adrenaline levels, or decreased ability of blood vessels to dilate). Patients with CKD will be recruited from primary care, Nephrology and other subspecialty Clinics throughout the Emory Healthcare System. Participants will attend 4 visits of 2-3 hours and 3 visits of 1-2 hours. The home exercise training will last for 8 weeks.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria4
- Patients with CKD (Stages IIIa and IV),
- Ages 45-85 years who do not regularly exercise (defined as exercising less than 20 minutes twice per week), willing and able to cooperate with the protocol.
- CKD Stages III and IV will be defined as reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to 15-59 cc/minute as calculated by the modified CKD-EPI equations.
- Patients with CKD must have stable renal function (no greater than a 20% reduction in eGFR over the prior 3 months).
Exclusion Criteria12
- Severe CKD (eGFR\<15 cc/minute)
- Metabolic alkalosis (serum bicarbonate \> 28 meq/L)
- Ongoing drug or alcohol abuse
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Any serious systemic disease that might influence survival
- Severe anemia with hgb level \<10 g/dL
- Clinical evidence of congestive heart failure or ejection fraction below 35%, symptomatic heart disease determined by prior electrocardiogram, stress test, and/or history, treatment with central alpha agonists (clonidine)
- Uncontrolled hypertension with BP greater than 170/100 mm Hg
- Low blood pressure with BP less than 100/50
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
- Current treatment with MAO inhibitors
- Inability to perform handgrip exercise
Interventions
Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) will be assessed first in both hands using a hand dynamometer with a digital display (Handexer HFEH20); the participant squeezes the hand dynamometer as hard as they can for 3 to 5 attempts to obtain the MVC. The intervention is an 8- week training protocol that consists of handgrip exercises performed by the participant at home. Each cycle of sustained handgrip exercise consists of sustained squeezing of the hand dynamometer at 30% of MVC for 2 minutes (i.e. isometric) followed by 1 minute of rest.
Each cycle of sustained handgrip exercise consists of sustained squeezing of the hand dynamometer at 3 - 5% of MVC rather than 30%.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07094906