NCT04967534

Efficacy of WB-EMS in Frail Older People

The Efficacy of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) in Frail Older People: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 54 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Exercise in general and resistance training (RT) in particular have demonstrated positive effects on frailty outcomes, including physical functioning. However, frail older people with functional impairments are among the least physically active and have problems reaching high-intensity levels. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) allows the simultaneous innervation of all large muscle groups by external electrical stimulation, inducing a high-intensity RT at a low subjective effort level. The efficacy of WB-EMS in frail older people has yet to be determined. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of WB-EMS in frail older people.

Conditions

• Frailty Syndrome

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	WB-EMS	Simultaneous, individually adjustable stimulation of 12 muscle groups using an interval approach with a duty cycle of 6s impulse/4s rest, bipolar electric current (impulse -frequency 85Hz, -width 350μs, rectangular pattern) will be applied. After a 4-week conditioning period, 1.5x 20 min/week WB-EMS will be conducted for 12 weeks (total training duration 8 weeks). Easy to perform functional exercises focusing on balance, transfer ability, stepping, and lower extremity strength will be done during WB-EMS. Exercise intensity will be individually prescribed and adjusted by the rate of perceived exertion (RPE-Borg CR10 scale 4 (moderate) to 7 (hard)). WB-EMS will be fully supervised one-on-one.
BEHAVIORAL	social contact control group	Psycho-social intervention with participants randomized to the control group receiving (if wanted) the same social contact time (20-30 minutes/week) as the WB-EMS group. Depending on personal preferences and Covid-19 restrictions this will be done by phone or in-person one-on-one. Health-related topics and/or general chatting will be offered.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-07-21
• Primary completion: 2022-03-15
• Completion: 2022-03-15
• First posted: 2021-07-19
• Last updated: 2022-07-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany