Clinical Trial

Effects of Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise on Adults With Neuromuscular Disease

Recruiting
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Summary
This single-arm pilot study evaluates the effects of whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) exercise on neuromuscular and physical function in adults with neuromuscular disease (NMD). Due to motor unit impairments, NMD patients often cannot tolerate traditional exercise. WB-EMS bypasses voluntary activation limits by directly stimulating muscle contractions. Up to 50 adults with conditions like ALS, SMA, and MG will undergo 20-minute supervised WB-EMS sessions (1-2 times weekly for 4-8 weeks) using the Katalyst system. Outcomes include neural excitability (TMS), motor unit behavior (EMG, NCS), functional tests (walk, balance, strength), and patient-reported fatigue, pain, and quality of life. Strict safety monitoring and exclusion criteria are in place. This study will provide preliminary data on WB-EMS as a potential exercise modality for NMD.
Trial Details
NCT Number NCT07478172
Lead Sponsor University of Missouri-Columbia
Conditions Neuromuscular Diseases (NMD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Lambert-eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT), Fascioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy +10 more
Enrollment 50 participants
Start Date 2026-03-10
Primary Completion 2030-12-31 (estimated)
Study Completion 2031-01-07 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov 2026-03-17