Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise for Muscle Loss

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Missouri-Columbia

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

During this pilot study, the investigators will examine the effects of whole-body electrical muscle stimulation exercise (WB-EMS Exercise) on motoneuronal activation in healthy adults, which typically decreases with age. The investigators will also test whether WB-EMS Exercise will improve measures of physical function. Participants will undergo clinical and electrophysiologic testing before and after the WB-EMS Exercise intervention. The WB-EMS Exercise intervention will be delivered two times per week for four weeks. The hypothesis is that whole-body electrical muscle stimulation combined with physical exercise (WB-EMS Exercise) could bypass the problem of insufficient motoneuronal activation to improve exercise effect in older adults.

Research Team

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy older adults aged 65 and above, as well as younger adults between 18-39. Participants must be able to walk without help, have good muscle strength, get medical clearance for exercise, and commit to the study's schedule. People with unstable diseases, terminal illness, drug use affecting muscles or performance in the last 6 months are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I can walk without help from devices.

Medical clearance to participate in an exercise program

Ability to conform to the requirements of the study (i.e. attendance at assessment and intervention visits, maintain current level of non-study physical activity for the duration of the study, no intention to relocate mid-study)

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Exclusion Criteria

Presence of a pacemaker, metal implants, or other implanted medical devices that could impact participant safety during WB-EMS intervention

Known pregnancy at the time of screening

Presence of terminal disease (i.e. receiving hospice services)

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Treatment Details

Interventions

Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study tests if whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) combined with exercise can improve spinal motoneuronal activation and physical function in older adults. It involves WB-EMS Exercise sessions twice a week for four weeks while monitoring clinical and electrophysiological changes.

Participant Groups

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Healthy AdultsExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

All participants will receive the WB-EMS Exercise intervention 2 times per week for 4 weeks. Participants will only perform leveled exercise programs in the "Strength" Training Mode. These programs are 20-minute videos led by exercise professionals. They are full-body workouts with no one muscle group receiving more attention than another. They consist of 10-12 exercises performed for 14 repetitions. Each repetition takes 4 seconds to complete (the time that the stimulation is "on") and is followed by a 4 second rest (the time that the stimulation is "off"). All exercises occur in a double-limb stance position. Most exercises occur with feet in wide base of support, hips width or more apart. All exercises are modifiable by the healthcare professional administering and monitoring the intervention based on participant's safe and available range of motion (i.e. arm movements, torso positions, extent of knee bend).