Protein Supplementation and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Persons With SCI
- Conditions
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Interventions
- Device: NMESDietary Supplement: Protein
- Registration Number
- NCT05249985
- Lead Sponsor
- Loughborough University
- Brief Summary
The aim of this pilot study is to explore how body composition, circulating markers of metabolic health and skin integrity in persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI) are affected by 12 weeks of quadriceps neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) resistance training. The novel element of this study is that one group will be given additional daily protein supplementation in addition to the NMES training (treatment group), whereas the other group will only perform the NMES training (control group). The investigators hypothesise that NMES in combination with protein results in larger improvements in the aforementioned outcomes compared with NMES alone.
- Detailed Description
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition, with paralysis below the lesion level as one of the main hallmarks. As a result of paralysis, together with decreased levels of physical activity and impairment-specific co-morbidities such as autonomic dysfunction, persons with SCI have a markedly reduced muscle mass. Being the major site for glucose disposal, skeletal muscle is key for the maintenance of metabolic health, while it also helps with weight management by contributing to energy expenditure at rest. As such, effective strategies to restore muscle mass in persons with SCI are warranted and can have a significant impact on metabolic health and chronic disease risk in this population.
While resistance training is widely recognised as an effective intervention to increase muscle mass in able-bodied individuals, paralysis in the lower limbs of persons with SCI precludes the use of traditional resistance training in this population. NMES has been developed to overcome this barrier and allows persons with SCI to engage in resistance exercise. Notwithstanding the evidence supporting the use of NMES on its own, combined interventions may further enhance its potential to improve health and physical function. Indeed, in the more widely studied population of older adults, that is also at risk for sarcopenia (loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength), increasing daily protein intake enhances the efficacy of resistance training to increase muscle mass.
The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of a 12-week intervention of NMES in combination with protein supplementation when compared with NMES alone on fat free mass in the legs. Secondary objectives are to investigate the impact of the intervention on 1) markers of cardiometabolic health, namely glucose tolerance and fasting plasma lipid concentrations, 2) resting metabolic rate, and 3) skin blood flow at the level of the sacrum in response to experimental pressure. Outcomes related to tertiary objectives include perceived quality of life, neuropathic pain, body image, sleep quality and spasms; as well as free-living energy balance, physical activity and feasibility outcomes related to recruitment, adherence and participant' experiences with the intervention. It is hypothesised that NMES in combination with protein results in larger improvements in the aforementioned outcomes compared with NMES alone.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 30
- Motor complete spinal cord injury
- Time since injury injury >1 year
- Spinal cord injury below T10 vertebrae
- Habitual protein intake exceeding 2g / kg body mass / day
- Having used NMES resistance training once or more per week in the last six months
- Lactose intolerant
- Any disease or medication that means the participant should not exercise
- Participation in a study involving ionising radiation in the previous 12 months
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description NMES plus protein supplementation NMES Participants will undergo 12 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation- (NMES) based resistance training on the quadriceps in addition to a daily protein supplement. NMES NMES Participants will undergo 12 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation- (NMES) based resistance training on the quadriceps. NMES plus protein supplementation Protein Participants will undergo 12 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation- (NMES) based resistance training on the quadriceps in addition to a daily protein supplement.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in fat mass Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Dual x-ray absorptiometry
Change in bone mineral density Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Dual x-ray absorptiometry
Change in lean soft tissue mass Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Dual x-ray absorptiometry
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in fasting plasma lipid concentrations Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Resting blood sample
Change in resting metabolic rate Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Expired air analysis
Change in glucose tolerance Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Oral glucose tolerance test
Change in insulin resistance Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Oral glucose tolerance test
Change in fasting circulating C-reactive protein Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Resting blood sample
Change in sacral skin blood flow Pre-intervention (baseline) and at 1 week post-12 week intervention Doppler flowmetry
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Loughborough University
🇬🇧Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom