Effects of Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise on Spinal Motoneuronal Activation in Older Adults
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Missouri-Columbia
About 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 accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age (65 years or older) for healthy older adults and between 18-39 for healthy younger adults
Ambulatory without an assistive device
More than anti-gravity strength in major muscle groups as assessed by manual muscle testing
Medical clearance to participate in an exercise program
Disqualifiers
Regular use of an assistive device for mobility (i.e. cane, walker, wheelchair)
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 unstable acute or chronic disease (i.e. renal failure, rheumatologic disease cardia arrhythmia, neoplasm, uncontrolled hypertension)
Trial design
Design model
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
Exercise
DeviceThe WB-EMS Device is a fitness device that delivers whole-body electrical muscle stimulation in conjunction with exercise programs. After donning a base layer consisting of fitted shorts and shirt, a vest, shorts, and arm straps with integrated electrodes mapped to major muscle groups (biceps, triceps, pectorals, abdominals, periscapular musculature, paraspinal musculature, gluteus musculature, quadriceps, and hamstrings) are donned. The suit connects to an impulse pack that communicates with the Katalyst iPad App to deliver the programmed stimulation to the participant. Within the Katalyst App, there are leveled exercise programs where low levels (i.e. Level 1 and 2) are simple movements and higher levels (i.e. Levels 3, 4, and 5) have more complex and dynamic movements. There is complete user control of the stimulation level of each individual muscle group to tailor to participant responses and tolerance.
Treatment groups
12 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Healthy AdultsExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Mean change from baseline in motor unit firing rates of the vastus lateralis using decomposition electromyography (dEMG)
Decomposition electromyography (dEMG) is a measurement of motor unit activity; a surface electrode will be placed over the vastus lateralis in the thigh and participants will be asked to activate that muscle.
Time frame
Measured within 3 days of starting the intervention and within 3 days of completing the intervention2
Mean change from baseline in central activation ratio of the vastus lateralis using interpolated twitch technique (ITT)
The central activation ratio (CAR) is a representation of how completely a person can voluntarily access their maximum force production capacity. Surface electrodes will be placed over the vastus lateralis in the thigh and participants will be asked to activate that muscle.
Time frame
Measured within 3 days of starting the intervention and within 3 days of completing the interventionSecondary outcomes
1
Mean change from baseline in mobility testing
To capture changes in common functional movements relevant to maintenance of independence for older adults, the investigators will collect data on gait speed (10-m walk/run test), stair negotiation (4-stair ascent and descent), rising from/lowering to a chair (30 second sit to stand), and lowering to/rising from the floor (floor transfer test).
Time frame
Measured within 3 days of starting the intervention and within 3 days of completing the intervention2
Mean change from baseline in balance testing
The Balance Outcome Measure for Elder Rehabilitation (BOOMER) is an older adult-specific measure of balance. It is a composite test consisting of a Step Test (tapping a step with one foot as many times as safely possible in 15 seconds), the Timed Up and Go (TUG; rise from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, and return to sitting in chair), the Functional Reach Test (FRT; standing forward reach with arms outstretched as far as a person can control), and a Timed Static Stance (narrow stance, eyes closed for up to 90 seconds). Participants will also complete the Single Leg Hop test and the Star Excursion Test.
Time frame
Measured within 3 days of starting the intervention and within 3 days of completing the intervention3
Treatment Feedback Questionnaire
The Treatment Feedback Questionnaire was created by the principal investigator to systematically collect meaningful feedback from the participants regarding their opinions, impressions, and recommendations about the WB-EMS Exercise intervention. This is part of an ongoing effort to develop exercise interventions that are effective and patient-centered and can be adopted and sustained to promote long-term health.
Time frame
Measured within 3 days of completing the interventionSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov