Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise for Muscle Loss

Overseen By W. David Arnold, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Missouri-Columbia

Must not be taking: Anabolic steroids, Growth hormone

Disqualifiers: Pacemaker, Pregnancy, Neuromuscular conditions, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 4 weeks

12 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how whole-body electrical muscle stimulation combined with exercise can improve muscle function, particularly in older adults. The focus is on boosting motoneuronal activation, which often declines with age, to determine if it enhances physical performance. Participants will engage in two weekly sessions of this exercise program for four weeks. Individuals who are healthy, can walk unaided, and have medical clearance to exercise may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance the quality of life for older adults.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you have used drugs that influence muscle mass or performance in the past 6 months.

What prior data suggests that this exercise method is safe for healthy adults?

Research has shown that whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) exercise is generally safe when performed correctly. Studies have found that WB-EMS is safe under proper supervision, with some reporting no side effects at all. However, rare cases of muscle damage, such as rhabdomyolysis, have occurred in seven instances. It remains unclear if WB-EMS was the sole cause of these cases. Overall, with appropriate guidance, WB-EMS appears to be a safe exercise option. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) exercise for muscle loss because it offers a unique approach compared to traditional resistance training or physical therapy. Unlike conventional methods that rely solely on physical weights or manual resistance, WB-EMS uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions, potentially enhancing muscle strength and endurance more efficiently. This technique can be particularly beneficial for people who struggle with standard exercise routines due to physical limitations, as it allows for customizable and modifiable exercises tailored by healthcare professionals. Additionally, the short, intense sessions could make it a time-effective option for maintaining muscle health.

What evidence suggests that whole-body electrical muscle stimulation exercise is effective for improving motoneuronal activation in healthy adults?

Research has shown that whole-body electrical muscle stimulation exercise (WB-EMS), which participants in this trial will receive, can improve muscle function. Studies have found that WB-EMS enhances muscle performance more effectively than regular exercise alone. It helps prevent muscle loss and increases muscle strength. One study found that WB-EMS training improved body composition by building lean muscle and reducing body fat. Overall, WB-EMS serves as a beneficial addition to exercise routines, especially for boosting physical function and muscle health. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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)

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)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo whole-body electrical muscle stimulation exercise (WB-EMS Exercise) intervention twice a week for four weeks

4 weeks

8 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in motoneuronal activation and physical function after the intervention

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise

Trial Overview

The 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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Healthy Adults Experimental Treatment 1 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).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Missouri-Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

629,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a time-efficient and joint-friendly training method that stimulates all major muscle groups simultaneously, making it suitable for individuals who may struggle with traditional exercise.

To enhance the safety and effectiveness of WB-EMS, updated guidelines emphasize the importance of qualified trainers, thorough participant assessments, and close supervision during sessions, addressing previous concerns about adverse effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Position statement and updated international guideline for safe and effective whole-body electromyostimulation training-the need for common sense in WB-EMS application. Kemmler, W., Fröhlich, M., Ludwig, O., et al.[2023]

Whole Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a growing area of research, particularly in Germany, which leads in scientific publications on this training methodology.

The study identified Wolfgang Kemmler as a key author in WB-EMS research, highlighting the increasing interest and collaboration among researchers, especially from Germany and Spain, in exploring this innovative training technique.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on Whole Body Electromyostimulation. Rodrigues-Santana, L., Adsuar, JC., Denche-Zamorano, Á., et al.[2022]

Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) was effective in increasing lean body mass by 1.5% and grip strength by 8.4% in a study of 76 osteopenic women aged 70 and older over one year.

While WB-EMS showed borderline improvements in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine compared to a control group, the effects on bone density were less pronounced than the improvements in muscle strength and mass, suggesting it may be a suitable option for those unable to engage in intense exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation to Fight Osteopenia in Elderly Females: The Randomized Controlled Training and Electrostimulation Trial (TEST-III). von Stengel, S., Bebenek, M., Engelke, K., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 21 studies involving 505 participants found that while whole-body electrical myostimulation (WB-EMS) is popular, there is insufficient scientific evidence to definitively conclude its effectiveness for various training outcomes.

Most studies analyzed the chronic effects of WB-EMS, but many had a moderate to high risk of bias, highlighting the need for more rigorous randomized controlled trials to better understand its benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of whole-body ELECTROMYOSTIMULATION on health and performance: a systematic review. Pano-Rodriguez, A., Beltran-Garrido, JV., Hernández-González, V., et al.[2023]

Whole-body electro-myo-stimulation (WB-EMS) has been associated with significant increases in creatine kinase (CK) levels, indicating potential muscle damage, and has led to cases of rhabdomyolysis, particularly after initial sessions.

The safety of WB-EMS is questionable, as many participants reported muscular discomfort, and there are no clear contraindications, suggesting that individuals with a history of muscle disorders should avoid this treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side effects of whole-body electro-myo-stimulation. Stöllberger, C., Finsterer, J.[2020]

Whole-body electro-myo-stimulation (WB-EMS) can lead to elevated creatine-kinase (CK) levels and has been associated with cases of rhabdomyolysis, although it is unclear if WB-EMS was the sole cause in these instances.

Current research lacks comprehensive data on the safety and contraindications of WB-EMS, particularly regarding muscle damage and risk factors for rhabdomyolysis, highlighting the need for better regulation and physician screening before use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side effects of and contraindications for whole-body electro-myo-stimulation: a viewpoint. Stöllberger, C., Finsterer, J.[2020]

A study involving 22 participants compared the effects of two different whole-body electrostimulation (WB-EMS) training modalities with a traditional resistance training program over 6 weeks, and all groups showed significant improvements in strength and muscle power.

No significant differences in effectiveness were found between the WB-EMS and resistance training groups, suggesting that WB-EMS can be a valid alternative or complement to traditional strength training methods.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Two Modalities of Whole-body Electrostimulation Programs and Resistance Circuit Training on Strength and Power. DʼOttavio, S., Briotti, G., Rosazza, C., et al.[2019]

Citations

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Physiological Effect of Exercise Training with Whole Body ...

The results of this study show that exercise with a WB-EMS suit can be considered as an effective exercise addition for young women.

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6104107/

Electromyostimulation to fight atrophy and to build muscle

EMS improved functional performances more effectively than voluntary training and counteracted fast type muscle fibre atrophy, typically associated with ...

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The efficacy and safety of whole-body ...

The application of WB-EMS improved SBP and oxygen uptake in submaximal and maximal stages of GXT. This study also confirmed that 6 weeks of WB-EMS training can ...

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frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.640657/full

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Outcomes. Outcome measures were lean body mass/muscle mass, total body fat mass, maximum leg extension, and maximum trunk extension strength ...

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6937082/

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Scientific research should concentrate on muscle damage as a side effect of WB-EMS considering current types applied, stimulation frequency and ...

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frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1174103/full

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Position statement and updated international guideline for safe and effective whole-body electromyostimulation training-the need for common sense in WB-EMS ...

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Side effects of and contraindications for whole-body electro ...

Seven cases of rhabdomyolysis after WB-EMS were found, and it remains open whether WB-EMS was the only risk factor.

9.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5974506/

Efficacy and Safety of Low Frequency Whole-Body ...

Properly applied and supervised, WB-EMS appears to be a safe training technology. In summary, WB-EMS represents a safe and reasonable option for ...