The Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

Completed · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Muscle Fiber Atrophy, Type II

In brief

The purpose of this project is to test the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) that produces 40 % of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) in increasing muscle size and improvement in muscle force output within the thigh muscle of elderly people.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00765739

Run by

University of Pittsburgh

People needed

23

Starts

2008-10-01

Expected to finish

2012-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2013-01-24

Who can join

Age: 65 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 65-80 years old, are walking independently without assistive devices.

You may not qualify if…

• Uncontrolled hypertension (defined as the following: 1) if not taking BP medication and resting systolic BP is greater than 140 or diastolic greater than 90, or 2) if taking BP medication and resting systolic BP greater than 160 or diastolic greater than 100).
• History of cardiovascular disease
• History of neurological disorders that effect lower extremity function (stroke, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis)
• One cortico-steroid injection to the quadriceps or patellar tendon in the past month or 3 within the past year.
• History of quadriceps tendon rupture, patellar tendon rupture, or patellar fracture, which could place them at risk of re-injury during quadriceps strength testing.
• Current pain in the knee or in the thigh muscles.
• Diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis (Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or psoriatic arthritis)
• Muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
• Currently been participating in a regular exercise program more than 1x/week.
• Been using anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors
• History of chronic and significant respiratory disease or shortness of breath
• Visual impairments to the extent that they can not accurately see the monitor screen during training program.

Where it is running

• School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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