Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on health indicators of older people: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials
Abstract
Objective to provide evidence for the effects of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on health-related outcomes compared to the effects of minimal or non-intervention for older people in the short/medium/long term.Data sources seven databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, SPORTDiscuss and Web of Science) were electronically searched in April 2020 and updated in March 2021.Study selection included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving WB-EMS that assessed effects on health-related outcomes, risks and adverse events in older people (>60 years).Data extraction the following data were obtained: author and publication year, follow-up, detailed information of older characteristics, current parameters/intensity and outcomes.Data synthesis a random effects model was used with effect size reported as SMD. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 test.Results 13 RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis found: large effects of WB-EMS on reducing sarcopenia Z-score (ES: 1.44[-2.02: 0.87] p= <.01) and improving isometric strength leg extensors (ES: 0.81[0.41: 1.21] p= <.01) at medium and long-term, respectively. Moderate effects of WB-EMS on improving handgrip strength (ES: 0.58[0.23: 0.92] p= <.01) and habitual gait speed (ES: 0.69[0.31: 1.07] p= <.01) at medium-term and improving appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ES:0.69 [0.30: 1.09] p= <.01) at long-term. Non-significant effect of WB-EMS on waist circumference (p = .17) and triglycerides (p = .20) at medium-term. Non-significant effects of WB-EMS on improving creatine kinase concentrations, C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6 at medium-term.Conclusions This review provides further evidence for significant, moderate to large effect sizes of WB-EMS on sarcopenia, muscle mass and strength parameters, but not on waist circumference and triglycerides.Systematic review registration PROSPERO database no. CRD42019134100.
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Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) has emerged as a useful treatment for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, showing promising effects due to its similarities to resistance training.
“Furthermore, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) has emerged in research as a useful treatment for sarcopenia [18] and sarcopenic obesity, showing promising effects due to its similarities to resistance training [5, 19, 20].”
From Effects of nutrition and exercise interventions on persons with sarcopenic obesity: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (2023) · cites this paper as [18]
A recent systematic review measuring WB-EMS in older adults found significant improvement in gait speed, hand grip strength, lower limb strength, and ASMMI.
“The results show a significant improvement in gait speed, hand grip strength, lower limb strength and ASMMI [18].”
From Effects of nutrition and exercise interventions on persons with sarcopenic obesity: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (2023) · cites this paper as [18]
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- Authors
- de Oliveira, T. M. D., Felício, D. C., Filho, J. E., Fonseca, D. S., Durigan, J. L. Q., & Malaguti, C.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (BR)
- Corresponding author
- Filho, José E.
- Fonseca, Diogo S.
- Malaguti, Carla
- Venue
- Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2022-07
- Volume
- 31
- Pages
- 134-145
- ISSN
- 1360-8592 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4220993549
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1
- FWCI
- 0.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- CAPES
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (APQ-0354-17)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Effects of Vibration on Health
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Keywords
- whole-body electromyostimulation, older adults, sarcopenia, muscle strength, grip strength, walking speed, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, waist circumference, triglycerides, inflammatory markers, creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Humans, Triglycerides, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Muscle, Skeletal, Sarcopenia
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