Effectiveness and Safety of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Musculoskeletal Diseases in Middle Aged-Older Adults – A Systematic Review

Le YH, Kohl M, von Stengel S, Uder M, Kemmler W (2024)


Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Book Volume: 75

Pages Range: 41-48

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.5960/dzsm.2024.590

Abstract

› Whole-Body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a time-effective, joint-friendly and consistently supervised exercise training technology particularly attractive to address health-related outcomes in middle-age to older adults. The present systematic review aims to summarize WB-EMS effects on musculoskeletal diseases and conditions in corresponding non-athletic cohorts. › A systematic search in five electronic databases, two study registers and a hand search in Google Scholar without language restrictions up to March 2023 was conducted. We included only peer reviewed clinical trials and intervention studies on WB-EMS with non-athletic adult cohorts averaging 45 years and older addressing musculoskeletal diseases and conditions. Case reports, review articles, editorials, conference abstracts, or theses were not considered. › Nineteen research projects with 22 articles focusing on the effect of WB-EMS on musculoskeletal diseases and conditions were identified. In summary high evidence for positive effects were reported for non-specific chronic low back pain and sarcopenia. Moderate evidence was provided for positive effects on knee osteoarthritis and non-significant positive effects on osteopenia. While two out of eight studies reported minor increases of biomarkers related to rhabdomyolysis, one study reported a single case of mild rhabdomyolysis after a WB-EMS session. No study reported clinically relevant adverse effects. › In summary, we have provided further evidence for predominately positive effects of WB-EMS on musculoskeletal diseases and conditions along with a lack of clinically relevant adverse effects related to WB-EMS application in middle-aged and older cohorts.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

How to cite

APA:

Le, Y.H., Kohl, M., von Stengel, S., Uder, M., & Kemmler, W. (2024). Effectiveness and Safety of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Musculoskeletal Diseases in Middle Aged-Older Adults – A Systematic Review. Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin, 75(2), 41-48. https://doi.org/10.5960/dzsm.2024.590

MLA:

Le, Y. H., et al. "Effectiveness and Safety of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Musculoskeletal Diseases in Middle Aged-Older Adults – A Systematic Review." Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin 75.2 (2024): 41-48.

BibTeX: Download