Although there is some evidence that whole body electromyostimulation(WB-EMS) affect bone via its acute and longitudinal effects on muscle mass and strength, the corresponding impact on bone density and falls in older adults has not been assessed yet. The investigators hypothesize that WB-EMS significantly affects bone parameters as assessed by DXA, and significantly reduce fall rate and ratio in a cohort of frail elderly women.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
78
Light physical exercise and relaxation program once a week in blocks of 10 weeks with breaks of 10 weeks between the blocks. The low-intensity, low-volume program was designed to avoid impact on our endpoints.
3 sessions of 18 min/14 (1,5 x week)days over 12 months. 10 low-intensity/low amplitude exercises with electromyostimulation equipment with 85 Hz with periods of 6 sec of current and 4 sec of rest.
Institute of Medical Physics, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg
Erlangen, Germany
Bone Mineral Density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck region
Bone Mineral Density as assessed by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry
Time frame: baseline - after 12 months
Falls
Fall frequency and fall related injuries as assessed by the calendar method
Time frame: throughout the 12 month study period
maximum strength (trunk and leg extension, grip strength)
Time frame: baseline - after 12 months
Pain frequency and magnitude at various skeletal sites (including low back pain)
as assessed by questionnaires
Time frame: baseline - after 12 months
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