Health Trials

Effects of Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise on Adults With Neuromuscular Disease

ConditionsNeuromuscular Diseases (NMD)Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisMyasthenia GravisLambert-eaton Myasthenic SyndromePrimary Lateral SclerosisSpinal Muscular AtrophyCharcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT)Fascioscapulohumeral Muscular DystrophyInclusion Body MyositisMitochondrial MyopathyNemaline MyopathyCentronuclear MyopathyPostpolio SyndromePompe Disease (Late-onset)Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating PolyneuropathyHereditary Spastic ParaplegiaPostural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)Progressive Muscular Atrophy
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Missouri-Columbia

About this trial

This single-arm pilot study evaluates the effects of whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) exercise on neuromuscular and physical function in adults with neuromuscular disease (NMD). Due to motor unit impairments, NMD patients often cannot tolerate traditional exercise. WB-EMS bypasses voluntary activation limits by directly stimulating muscle contractions. Up to 50 adults with conditions like ALS, SMA, and MG will undergo 20-minute supervised WB-EMS sessions (1-2 times weekly for 4-8 weeks) using the Katalyst system. Outcomes include neural excitability (TMS), motor unit behavior (EMG, NCS), functional tests (walk, balance, strength), and patient-reported fatigue, pain, and quality of life. Strict safety monitoring and exclusion criteria are in place. This study will provide preliminary data on WB-EMS as a potential exercise modality for NMD.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Age 18 or older

Diagnosed with one or more of the following neuromuscular conditions: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscle atrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, postpolio syndrome, inclusion body myositis, pompedisease, fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, charcot marie tooth disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, hereditary spastic paraplegia, myasthenia gravis, lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, mitochondrial myopathy, nemaline myopathy, centronuclear myopathy, lumbar radiculopathy, non-specific low back pain.

Ability to stand for approximately 15 minutes continuously with or without an assistive device (i.e. the length of time to stand to take a shower, complete meal preparation, wait in line at the bank, etc.)

At least some anti-gravity strength in major muscle groups as assessed by manual muscle testing (i.e. 2+/5 strength or better)

Disqualifiers

Diagnosed with one of the following neuromuscular conditions: Becker's muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy type 1 or 2, Freidrich's ataxia, any other NMD with known or suspected cardiac involvement or muscle fiber structural integrity defects.

Concurrent participation in another interventional research study

Unable to tolerate 15 minutes of continuous standing with or without an assistive device

Presence of a pacemaker, metal implants, or other implanted medical devices that could impact participant safety during WB-EMS intervention

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise

Treatment groups

50 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment group

Sponsors and collaborators

University of Missouri-Columbia

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov