Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Interventional Ages 18 and up

Effects of electrical muscle stimulation exercise on adults with Myasthenia Gravis

Official title: Effects of Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise on Adults With Myasthenia Gravis

Run by University of Missouri-Columbia · NCT06064695 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if whole-body electrical muscle stimulation exercise can help adults with Myasthenia Gravis feel less tired and improve their muscle function.

More Generalized Myasthenia Gravis trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment16 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Missouri-Columbia
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Fairway, Kansas and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 12, 2023
Main results expectedApril 2025
Study endsAugust 2025
Registry record updatedApril 10, 2025
Trial IDNCT06064695 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 or older with a diagnosis of Generalized Myasthenia Gravis and stable therapy for at least one month.

Probably not a fit

Patients with severe muscle weakness or those unable to participate in an exercise program may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot study investigates the impact of whole-body electrical muscle stimulation exercise (WB-EMS Exercise) on neuromuscular junction (NMJ) transmission and fatigability in adults diagnosed with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG). Participants will undergo clinical and electrophysiologic assessments before and after a 4-week intervention involving WB-EMS Exercise, conducted twice a week. The study aims to clarify the relationship between NMJ transmission dysfunction and fatigability, providing insights into potential therapeutic approaches for managing gMG symptoms.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved management of fatigability in patients with Myasthenia Gravis.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using electrical muscle stimulation in this context is novel, similar studies have shown promise in other neuromuscular conditions.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Participants with MG:

* Age 18 or older
* Diagnosed with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) via seropositive test for acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies or seronegative test with clinical symptoms consistent with gMG
* On stable MG therapy for at least 1 month
* Ability to stand for approximately 15 minutes continuously with or without an assistive device (i.e. the length of time to stand to take a shower, complete meal preparation, wait in line at the bank, etc.)
* Score of 1 (Mild) or 2 (Moderate) on at least one side of the "arm outstretched" and "leg outstretched" items of the QMG, demonstrating fatigability
* At least some anti-gravity strength in major muscle groups as assessed by manual muscle testing (i.e. 2+/5 strength or better)
* Medical clearance to participate in an exercise program
* Ability to provide informed consent
* Ability to conform to the requirements of the study (i.e. attendance at assessment and intervention visits, maintain current level of non-study physical activity for the duration of the study, no intention to relocate mid-study)

Exclusion Criteria for Participants with MG:

* Concurrent participation in another interventional research study
* Unable to tolerate 15 minutes of continuous standing with or without an assistive device
* Regular participation in strength training (2x per week or more over the past 6 months)
* Score of 0 (None) on all "arm outstretched" and "leg outstretched" items of the QMG
* Presence of a pacemaker, metal implants, or other implanted medical devices that could impact participant safety during WB-EMS intervention
* Presence of unstable acute or chronic disease (i.e. renal failure, rheumatologic disease, cardia arrhythmia, neoplasm, uncontrolled hypertension)
* Known pregnancy at time of screening
* Presence of a terminal disease (i.e. receiving hospice services)
* Current or previous use of any drugs known to influence muscle mass or performance within 6 months; these may include but are not limited to anabolic steroids, IGF01, growth hormone, replacement androgen therapy, anti-androgen therapy
* Presence of an additional neuromuscular or neurologic condition affecting somatosensory or motor function/control (i.e. motor neuron disease, muscle disease, peripheral neuropathy, other NMJ condition, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, h/o stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, ataxia, apraxia, hemiplegia, etc.)
* Musculoskeletal condition or surgery in the past year that would confound results of exercise interventions (i.e. knee replacement, hip replacement, rotator cuff repair, spinal fusion)
* Other medical conditions, signs, or symptoms that would interfere with study conduct or interpretation of results as determined by an investigator

Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:

* Age 18-39 years
* Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:

* Concurrent participation in an interventional research study
* Presence of unstable acute or chronic disease (i.e. renal failure, rheumatologic disease, cardia arrhythmia, neoplasm, uncontrolled hypertension)
* Presence of a terminal disease (i.e. receiving hospice services)
* Current or previous use of any drugs known to influence muscle mass or performance within 6 months; these may include but are not limited to anabolic steroids, IGF01, growth hormone, replacement androgen therapy, anti-androgen therapy
* Presence of an additional neuromuscular or neurologic condition affecting somatosensory or motor function/control (i.e. motor neuron disease, muscle disease, peripheral neuropathy, other NMJ condition, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, h/o stroke, TBI, SCI, ataxia, apraxia, hemiplegia, etc.)
* Musculoskeletal condition or surgery in the past year that would confound results of exercise interventions (i.e. TKA, THA, RTC repair, spinal fusion)
* Other medical conditions, signs, or symptoms that would interfere with study conduct or interpretation of results as determined by an investigator

Healthy controls will complete dEMG testing only during a one-time session.

Where it's running

  • University of Kansas Clinical Research Center
    Fairway, Kansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • NextGen Precision Health Building, Clinical and Translational Science Unit
    Columbia, Missouri, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.