NCT06131671

Whole-body Electrostimulation on Functional Mobility and Quality of Life in the Elderly

Effects of Whole-body Electrostimulation on Functional Mobility and Quality of Life in the Elderly: Randomized Clinical Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 85 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Elderly people experience reduced strength, mass and muscle function throughout the aging process, and this negatively affects the functionality and quality of life of these individuals. A randomized clinical trial will be carried out with 30 volunteers who will be allocated into two groups (whole-body electrical stimulation or control). Whole-body electrical stimulation (WBS) sessions will take place twice a week, for 8 weeks, totaling 16 sessions. The primary outcomes of this study are functional mobility (Timed Up and Go test) and quality of life (EQ-5D questionnaire). Functional mobility will be assessed at baseline, after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment or follow-up. Quality of life will be assessed only at the beginning and end of 8 weeks.

Detailed description

Elderly people experience reduced strength, mass and muscle function throughout the aging process, and this negatively affects the functionality and quality of life of these individuals. Rehabilitation strategies similar to conventional exercise that minimize the damage caused by aging and improve subjects' adherence need to be studied. A randomized clinical trial will be carried out with 30 volunteers who will be allocated into two groups (whole-body electrical stimulation or control). Whole-body electrical stimulation (WBS) sessions will take place twice a week, for 8 weeks, totaling 16 sessions. Simultaneously with the WBS, the elderly will perform exercises for the upper, lower limbs and trunk. The following assessments will be carried out at baseline and 8 weeks to verify the effect of therapy: assessment of functional mobility; quality of life (EQ-5D); isometric muscle strength of the quadriceps muscles, biceps brachii and handgrip strength; lower limb muscle strength; assessment of body composition; assessment of cellular senescence; the inflammatory profile; well-being; measurement of muscle damage and pain; assessment of therapy safety and assessment of sleep quality. Assessments of functional mobility, lower limb muscle strength, cellular senescence; the inflammatory profile; well-being; and muscle damage will also be carried out in 4 weeks.

Conditions

• Aged

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Whole-body electrical stimulation	The parameters adopted for the treated group will be: symmetrical biphasic current, pulse width of 400 µs, frequency of 80 Hz, contraction time of five seconds and decreasing rest time, varying from 10 to 5 s. The intensity will be individually adjusted to the patient's maximum tolerance limit to produce visible muscle contraction. The session time will be 15 to 20 minutes and the number of contractions will increase with each week of training. Concomitant to the electrical stimuli, exercises will be performed for the elbow flexors and extensors, spine flexors and extensors, knee flexors and extensors, hip flexors and extensors and the calf muscles.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-01-22
• Primary completion: 2024-03-22
• Completion: 2024-04-15
• First posted: 2023-11-14
• Last updated: 2024-08-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Brazil