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Healthy VolunteersELECTRO-WPNCT04857710

Chronic Effects of Wide-pulse Neuromuscular Electrostimulation on Neuromuscular and Functional Properties in Healthy Subjects

A study testing Wide-pulse neuromuscular electrostimulation (WP NMES) and Conventional neuromuscular electrostimulation (CONV NMES) in people with Healthy Volunteers, run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne at 1 site in France.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) is a technique used in the clinical and training fields to increase the strength of a muscle group.The recent use of wide-pulse (WP) stimulations allows, in addition to the direct activation of the muscle fibers, the use of sensory pathways. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 50 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Healthy Volunteers
What is being tested?
Wide-pulse neuromuscular electrostimulation (WP NMES) and Conventional neuromuscular electrostimulation (CONV NMES)
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
39 participants
Where
1 siteFrance
Study dates
5 May 2021to 22 Aug 2022
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 50 years
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Affiliates or beneficiaries of a social security scheme
  • Having freely given their written consent

Who cannot join

  • Disease or surgery resulting in a locomotor disorder, within 6 months prior to the study
  • Chronic neurological, motor or psychic diseases
  • Taking neuro-active substances likely to alter cortico-spinal excitability (hypnotics, antiepileptics, psychotropic drugs, muscle relaxants) for the duration of the study
  • Contraindication to neuromuscular electrostimulation
  • Contraindication to magnetic stimulation
  • Participation at the same time in another interventional experiment or having participated in such a study within 30 days prior to this study
  • Sports (>10 hours per week or strength training of the lower limbs)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

France1 site
  • CHU de Saint-Etienne

    Saint-Etienne, 42000

Other trials in France

About this study

Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) is a technique used in the clinical and training fields to increase the strength of a muscle group.The recent use of wide-pulse (WP) stimulations allows, in addition to the direct activation of the muscle fibers, the use of sensory pathways. This more global solicitation of the neuromuscular system (i.e. information going back to the spinal cord and even to the brain) prejudges more nervous adaptations and therefore a greater functional benefit. The first aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the force gains induced by 2 NMES training programs (CONV, WP) applied on knee extensors in healthy subjects for 6 weeks.The second aim is to understand the neuromuscular adaptations involved in these gains, as well as the functional benefit resulting from these improvements.

Read the detailed description

Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) is a technique used in the clinical and training fields to increase the strength of a muscle group. The conventional (CONV) parameters of NMES induces a direct activation of the muscle fibers located close to the stimulation electrodes. This means that the neuromuscular system is not fully solicited, which limits its adaptation. The recent use of wide-pulse (WP) stimulations allows, in addition to the direct activation of the muscle fibers, the use of sensory pathways. This more global solicitation of the neuromuscular system (i.e. information going back to the spinal cord and even to the brain) prejudges more nervous adaptations and therefore a greater functional benefit.

The first aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the force gains induced by 2 NMES training programs (CONV, WP) applied on knee extensors in healthy subjects for 6 weeks. The second aim is to understand the neuromuscular adaptations involved in these gains, as well as the functional benefit resulting from these improvements. To consolidate the benefit of NMES programs, a control (CONT) modality is used as a reference and is representative of a sedentary behaviour regularly observed in our populations. The CONV modality allows us to compare with the current clinical application and the majority of the literature on the adaptations induced by NMES training. Finally, the WP modality aims to assess the possible benefits linked to the use of wide-pulses during the application of NMES. A clinical transfer will then be envisaged to confirm the interest and benefits of this type of program. We hypothesise that nervous adaptations will be increased by the use of WP NMES, leading to greater gains in strength and functional benefits than with CONV NMES.

Being tested
Wide-pulse neuromuscular electrostimulation (WP NMES), Conventional neuromuscular electrostimulation (CONV NMES), Control (CONT) modality
Keywords
Wide-pulse, Training, Strength gain, Neuromuscular adaptations, Neuromuscular electrostimulation

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Wide-pulse neuromuscular electrostimulation (WP NMES)Device

    The WP NMES program consists of electrical stimulation trains of 1000 symmetrical biphasic pulses (1 ms, 100 Hz). The duration of a train is of 10 s and the rest between trains is of 30 s. A WP NMES session includes 30 evoked contractions. The stimulation intensity is monitored online and adjusted to the highest tolerable by the subjects.During the stimulation, subjects are seated with the knee joint fixed a 60° angle. Three self-adhesive electrodes are placed over the right thigh. The positive electrodes, measuring 25 cm² (5 x 5 cm), are placed as close as possible to the motor point of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles. The negative electrode, measuring 50 cm² (10 x 5 cm), is placed 5-7 cm below the inguinal ligament. Electrical stimulations are delivered by a stimulator BioStim (Mazet Santé).

  • Conventional neuromuscular electrostimulation (CONV NMES)Device

    The CONV NMES program consists of electrical stimulation trains of 500 symmetrical biphasic pulses (0.2 ms, 50 Hz). The duration of a train is of 10 s and the rest between trains is of 30 s (duty cycle: 1/3). A WP NMES session includes 30 evoked contractions. The stimulation intensity is monitored online and adjusted to the highest tolerable by the subjects.

    During the stimulation, subjects are seated with the knee joint fixed a 60° angle. Three self-adhesive electrodes are placed over the right thigh. The positive electrodes, measuring 25 cm² (5 x 5 cm), are placed as close as possible to the motor point of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles. The negative electrode, measuring 50 cm² (10 x 5 cm), is placed 5-7 cm below the inguinal ligament. Electrical stimulations are delivered by a stimulator BioStim (Mazet Santé).

  • Control (CONT) modalityDevice

    Control (CONT) modality is used as a reference and is representative of a sedentary behaviour regularly observed in our populations.

Study groups in NCT04857710
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Control (CONT)Active comparatorA control (CONT) modality is used as a reference and is representative of a sedentary behaviour regularly observed in our populations
Receives: Device: Control (CONT) modality
Conventional neuromuscular electrostimulation (CONV)ExperimentalThe CONV (conventional) modality allows us to compare with the current clinical application and the majority of the literature on the adaptations induced by NMES (neuromuscular electrostimulation) training.
Receives: Device: Conventional neuromuscular electrostimulation (CONV NMES)
Wide-pulse neuromuscular electrostimulation (WP)ExperimentalThe use of wide-pulse (WP) stimulations allows, in addition to the direct activation of the muscle fibers, the use of sensory pathways. This more global solicitation of the neuromuscular system (i.e. information going back to the spinal cord and even to the brain) prejudges more nervous adaptations and therefore a greater functional benefit.
Receives: Device: Wide-pulse neuromuscular electrostimulation (WP NMES)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensor muscle measurement

    Maximal isometric force (maximal voluntary contraction, MVC) of the knee extensor muscle

    Measured: week 6

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Voluntary activation measurement (%)

    The level of voluntary activation will be determined by the force increment obtained following stimulation performed during a condition of the muscle in a state of maximum contraction.

    Measured: week 6

  2. Voluntary activation measurement (%)

    The level of voluntary activation will be determined by the force increment obtained following stimulation performed during a condition of the muscle in a state of maximum contraction.

    Measured: week 12

  3. Cortico-spinal excitability measurement

    The quantification of cortico-spinal excitability (i.e. motor evoked potentials, in mV) will be evaluated by recording the electromyographic responses (surface EMG) evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation

    Measured: week 6

  4. Cortico-spinal excitability measurement

    The quantification of cortico-spinal excitability (i.e. motor evoked potentials, in mV) will be evaluated by recording the electromyographic responses (surface EMG) evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation

    Measured: week 12

  5. Spinal excitability measurement

    The quantification of spinal excitability (i.e. spinal reflex, in mV) will be evaluated by recording the EMG responses evoked by electrical stimulation in the lumbar vertebrae.

    The quantification of spinal excitability (i.e. spinal reflex, in mV) will be evaluated by recording the EMG responses evoked by electrical stimulation in the lumbar vertebrae.

    Measured: week 6

  6. Spinal excitability measurement

    The quantification of spinal excitability (i.e. spinal reflex, in mV) will be evaluated by recording the EMG responses evoked by electrical stimulation in the lumbar vertebrae.

    The quantification of spinal excitability (i.e. spinal reflex, in mV) will be evaluated by recording the EMG responses evoked by electrical stimulation in the lumbar vertebrae.

    Measured: week 12

  7. Muscular endurance measurement

    Muscle endurance (number of contractions performed before failure) will be assessed during a fatigue protocol consisting of performing quadriceps muscle contractions at incremental strength levels.

    Measured: week 6

  8. Muscular endurance measurement

    Muscle endurance (number of contractions performed before failure) will be assessed during a fatigue protocol consisting of performing quadriceps muscle contractions at incremental strength levels.

    Measured: week 12

  9. Jump performances measurement

    The performance of jumps (height, in cm; length, in cm) will be evaluated during various tests of vertical (Squat Jump and Counter Movement Jump) and horizontal (Single Hop and Triple Hop) jumps.

    Measured: week 6

  10. Jump performances measurement

    The performance of jumps (height, in cm; length, in cm) will be evaluated during various tests of vertical (Squat Jump and Counter Movement Jump) and horizontal (Single Hop and Triple Hop) jumps.

    Measured: week 12

  11. Postural balance performances measurement

    The postural balance performance (displacement of the center of pressure, in mm) will be evaluated during a unipodal postural balance test performed on a force platform.

    Measured: week 6

  12. Postural balance performances measurement

    The postural balance performance (displacement of the center of pressure, in mm) will be evaluated during a unipodal postural balance test performed on a force platform.

    Measured: week 12

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted23 Apr 2021
  2. Study start5 May 2021
  3. Primary completion9 May 2022
  4. Study completion22 Aug 2022

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Evaluating and comparing the force gains induced by 2 NMES training programs (CONV, WP) applied on knee extensors in healthy subjects for 6 weeks. Understanding the neuromuscular adaptations involved in these gains, as well as the functional benefit resulting from these improvements. To consolidate the benefit of NMES programs, a control (CONT) modality is used as a reference and is representative of a sedentary behaviour regularly observed in our populations. The CONV modality allows us to compare with the current clinical application and the majority of the literature on the adaptations induced by NMES training. Finally, the WP modality aims to assess the possible benefits linked to the use of wide-pulses during the application of NMES.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
39 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04857710
Sponsor's protocol ID
20CH198
Other IDs
2021-A00507-34
Acronym
ELECTRO-WP
Status last verified
Sep 2022
First submitted
20 Apr 2021
Last updated
14 Sep 2022
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Wide-pulse neuromuscular electrostimulation (WP NMES) and Conventional neuromuscular electrostimulation (CONV NMES) in people with Healthy Volunteers, run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne at 1 site in France.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Sep 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensor muscle measurement (time frame: week 6). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Sep 2022.

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