Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on health indicators of older people: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

Túlio M D de Oliveira; Diogo C Felício; José E Filho; Diogo S Fonseca; João Luiz Q Durigan; Carla Malaguti

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.03.010

Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on health indicators of older people: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022 Jul:31:134-145. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.03.010. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Authors

Túlio M D de Oliveira¹, Diogo C Felício², José E Filho³, Diogo S Fonseca⁴, João Luiz Q Durigan⁵, Carla Malaguti⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: tuliomedinaufjf@hotmail.com.
² College of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: diogofelicio@yahoo.com.br.
³ College of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: joseeliasfilho@yahoo.com.br.
⁴ College of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: diogo.simoes@ufjf.edu.br.
⁵ College of Physiotherapy, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil. Electronic address: joaodurigan@gmail.com.
⁶ College of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: carlamalaguti@gmail.com.

PMID: 35710211
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.03.010

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 I² 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.

Keywords: Exercise; Health-related outcomes; Older people; Sarcopenia; WB-EMS.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review
Systematic Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Electric Stimulation Therapy*
Humans
Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Sarcopenia* / prevention & control
Triglycerides

Substances

Triglycerides