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

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise for muscle loss?

Research suggests that whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) can improve muscle strength and mass, particularly in elderly women, and may serve as a valid alternative or complement to traditional resistance training for enhancing strength and muscle power. However, its effects on bone density are less pronounced, and there is a lack of consensus on its overall effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is whole-body electrical muscle stimulation exercise safe for humans?

Whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) can cause significant muscle enzyme increases and has been linked to cases of rhabdomyolysis (a serious condition involving muscle breakdown). It is important to be screened for risk factors and have trained supervision to ensure safety during WB-EMS sessions. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How is Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise different from other treatments for muscle loss?

Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise (WB-EMS) is unique because it uses electrical impulses to stimulate all major muscle groups simultaneously, offering a time-efficient and joint-friendly alternative to traditional exercise programs. This method can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are unable or unwilling to engage in intense physical activity, providing a viable option for maintaining muscle mass and strength. ^{1 2 4 5 8}

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.

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)

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

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)

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of whole-body ELECTROMYOSTIMULATION on health and performance: a systematic review. [2023]

2. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Two Modalities of Whole-body Electrostimulation Programs and Resistance Circuit Training on Strength and Power. [2019]

3. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness evaluation of whole-body electromyostimulation as a postexercise recovery method. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation to Fight Osteopenia in Elderly Females: The Randomized Controlled Training and Electrostimulation Trial (TEST-III). [2022]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on Whole Body Electromyostimulation. [2022]

6. Austria pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side effects of whole-body electro-myo-stimulation. [2020]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side effects of and contraindications for whole-body electro-myo-stimulation: a viewpoint. [2020]

8. Switzerland 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. [2023]