Whole-body electromyostimulation to improve blood pressure and metabolic health
Effects of Intensive Muscle Training on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors - a Randomised Controlled Study
This trial will test whether whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) can lower blood pressure and improve metabolic measures in overweight adults with mild (grade 1) hypertension.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Sponsor | University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Erlangen and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07406191 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial enrolls overweight or obese adults with grade 1 hypertension who are not taking blood pressure medications and have no contraindications to WB-EMS. Participants receive regular WB-EMS sessions that stimulate major muscle groups while a control group receives usual care or no WB-EMS. Outcomes include changes in blood pressure, lipid and triglyceride levels, and body composition measured over the intervention period. Safety checks exclude people with severe cardiac conditions, pacemakers, epilepsy, or other contraindications.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are overweight or obese adults with grade 1 hypertension who are not on antihypertensive medication and have no contraindications to intensive muscle stimulation or bioimpedance testing.
Not a fit: People on blood pressure–lowering drugs, with severe hypertension, pacemakers, epilepsy, severe cardiac disease, or other listed contraindications are excluded and unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, WB-EMS could offer a time-efficient, joint-friendly option to reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol and body composition in older overweight adults.
How similar studies have performed: Short-term data indicate acute WB-EMS does not raise blood pressure, but long-term benefits on cardiometabolic risk factors remain unproven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Grade 1 hypertension: systolic 140 and/or diastolic 90 mmHg * overweight or obese (body mass index \> 25 kg/m2) Exclusion Criteria: * blood pressure-lowering pharmacologic therapy. * WB-EMS application and regular resistance exercise training * Conditions and illnesses that preclude intensive physical exertion * Severe cardiac arrhythmia * Heart failure * acute pulmonary embolism * acute myocarditis * severe hypertension, e.g. blood pressure \> 200 mmHg systolic and/or \>110 mmHg diastolic * Contraindications for bioimpedance analysis (e.g. pacemaker) * Contraindications for WB-EMS application (e.g. acute infections/fever, epilepsy)
Where this trial is running
Erlangen and 1 other locations
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuebingen — Erlangen, Germany (Recruiting)
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen — Erlangen, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Wolfgang Kemmler, PhD — Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany
- Study coordinator: Wolfgang Kemmler, PhD
- Email: wolfgang.kemmler@fau.de
- Phone: +49 9131 8523999
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.