Feasibility and Acceptability of Remote Home-Based Leg Isometric Exercise Training and Lifestyle Change for the Management of Hypertension (Ref: RDFC24/HLS/SER/CUCATO)

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a significant contributor to high cardiovascular mortality and economic burden in the United Kingdom. While aerobic and dynamic resistance training are commonly recommended for AH management, they face barriers such as time, cost, and accessibility. Isometric exercise, particularly wall squats, has emerged as an effective alternative, offering substantial blood pressure reductions with minimal time and equipment. Moreover, lifestyle changes, including improved physical activity, diet, smoking cessation, and alcohol reduction, are recommended for NICE Hypertension guidelines to reduce blood pressure. However, the combination of these interventions and its potential impact on HA management have not been explored. This study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a remote, home-based intervention that combines isometric leg exercises with lifestyle changes in hypertensive individuals. We will employ a feasibility pilot trial design, with seventy participants (35 in each arm) being randomised into a 12-week intervention followed by a 12-week follow-up or a 24-week follow-up (Control group). We hypothesise that this combined intervention will demonstrate high feasibility and acceptability among hypertensive individuals. Additionally, this study will generate preliminary data to inform a future large-scale randomised controlled trial assessing the intervention’s effectiveness and costs within NHS.

Academic Enquiries

This project is supervised by Dr Gabriel Cucato and Dr Eurico Wilhelm Neto. For informal queries, please contact [email protected]. For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions. 

Eligibility Requirements:

•         Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.

•         Appropriate IELTS score, if required.

•         Applicants cannot apply if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:

•         Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or

•         have settled status, or

•         have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or

•         have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.  

Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence.

For further details on how to apply see

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/   

In your application, please include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and the advert reference (e.g. RDFC24/…).

Deadline for applications: 12 December 2024

Start date of course: 1 March 2025

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.