MedPath

Effect of Whole Body Electromyostimulation and/or Protein Supplementation on Sarcopenic Obesity in 70+

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Sarcopenic Obesity
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Protein
Other: Whole body Electromyostimulation (exercise)
Registration Number
NCT02857660
Lead Sponsor
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School
Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to determine the effect of 16 weeks of Whole Body-Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) and/or protein supplementation on Sarcopenic Obesity (SO) in community dwelling male subjects 70+ with SO .

108 eligible men will be randomly assigned to either a (1) WB-EMS and Protein (2) Protein (3) sedentary control group.

WB-EMS will be applied 1,5 x 20 min per week (i.e. 3 sessions in two weeks) with bipolar current, 85 Hz in an intermitted mode (4 s - 4 s of rest). Protein supplementation will be adjusted to dietary intake in order to reach a total protein intake between 1,5 - 1,7g/kg body-mass/d . Primary study endpoint will be the Sarcopenia Z-Score

Detailed Description

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) with additional protein supplementation on Sarcopenic Obesity parameters in independently living men 70 years and older with sarcopenic obesity. The randomized controlled study compares three groups with 36 subjects each: (1) WB-EMS with additional protein supplementation, (2) protein-only and (3) passive control group, over a period of 16 weeks of WB-EMS -training. Group (1) conducts 1.5-times/week a 20 minute-sessions of WB-EMS with additional protein, group (2) is limited to protein supplementation (only) and group (3) is constrained to maintain their habitual living behavior and physical activity. Based on an individual nutrition analysis the protein intake will be adjusted to 1.5-1.7 g/kg/ bodymass/d. All groups will be supplemented with a maximum of 800 IE Vitamin D.

Primary study endpoint will be changes of the Sarcopenia Z-Score with skeletal muscle mass assessed via bio-impedance analysis (BIA). Secondary study endpoints are changes of Obesity (i.e. body-fat as assessed via BIA), cardiometabolic risk (i.e. Metabolic Syndrome Z-Score), strength parameters evaluated via Dr. Wolff BackCheck and Physiomed LegPress, quality of life (SF-12) and functional disability (late life physical disability index).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • community dwelling, independent living men
  • Sarcopenia
  • Obesity (body fat >=25%)
Exclusion Criteria
  • exclusion criteria for WB-EMS-application (e.g. cardiac pacemaker)
  • diseases/medication that affect the study endpoints (e.g. Glucocorticoids >5mg/d)
  • absence of more than 2 weeks during the study period

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Protein supplementationProteinup to 1.5 - 1.7 g/kg body mass/d of protein supplements up to 800 IU/d Vitamin D-Supplementation
Whole-Body Electromyostimulation and ProteinWhole body Electromyostimulation (exercise)16 weeks of whole-body intervention 1.5 x 20 min week with bipolar current up to 1.5 - 1.7 g/kg body mass/d of protein supplements up to 800 IU/d Vitamin D-Supplementation
Whole-Body Electromyostimulation and ProteinProtein16 weeks of whole-body intervention 1.5 x 20 min week with bipolar current up to 1.5 - 1.7 g/kg body mass/d of protein supplements up to 800 IU/d Vitamin D-Supplementation
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change of Sarcopenia Z-ScoreChange from Baseline Sarcopenia Z-Score at 16 weeks

ie. Z-Score generated by skeletal muscle index, gait speed and grip-strength according to the Sarcopenia Definition of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People

Change of ObesityChange from Baseline Obesity at 16 weeks

Assessment of body fat content and body mass index

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change of Quality of LifeChange from Baseline Quality of life at 16 weeks

Quality of life as determined by the SF-12 questionnaire

Change of Physical DisabilityChange from Baseline Physical Disability at 16 weeks

Physical disability as assessed by Late Life Functional and Disability Index (LLFDI)

Change of Metabolic Syndrome Z-ScoreChange from Baseline Metabolic Syndrome Z-Score at 16 weeks

Metabolic Syndrome according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

Change of Back Extensors StrengthChange from Baseline Back Extensors Strength at 16 weeks

Strength of the back extensors and flexors using the Doctor Wolff Backcheck device

Change of isokinetic leg strengthChange from Baseline isokinetic leg strength at 16 weeks

Dynamic strength of the leg extensors and flexors as determined by a isokinetic leg press

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg

🇩🇪

Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath