Obesity is a major global health problem associated with metabolic dysfunction, altered adipokine signaling, and impaired appetite regulation. Conventional weight loss strategies such as calorie restriction often result in compensatory physiological adaptations, including increased appetite and loss of lean body mass, which may limit long-term effectiveness. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is an emerging, time-efficient intervention that induces simultaneous muscle activation and may improve metabolic health. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly the interaction between myokines and adipokines, remain insufficiently understood. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of an energy-restricted diet combined with WB-EMS on myokine-adipokine interaction, appetite regulation, and body composition in obese individuals. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a diet-only group or a diet plus WB-EMS group for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes include changes in serum irisin levels. Secondary outcomes include myostatin, leptin, adiponectin, FGF-21, ghrelin, GLP-1, body composition parameters, and eating behavior. The findings of this study are expected to provide novel insights into the physiological and molecular effects of WB-EMS as a complementary strategy in obesity management.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
A personalized diet with approximately 750 kcal/day energy deficit.
Whole-body electromyostimulation applied 2-3 times per week for 8 weeks under supervision.
Dicle University
Diyarbakır, Turkey (Türkiye)
Firat University
Elâzığ, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in serum irisin levels
Assessment of change in circulating irisin levels measured by ELISA.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in serum myostatin levels
Assessment of change in circulating myostatin levels measured by ELISA.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in serum leptin levels
Assessment of change in circulating leptin levels.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in serum adiponectin levels
Assessment of change in circulating adiponectin levels.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in serum FGF-21 levels
Assessment of change in circulating fibroblast growth factor-21 levels.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in serum ghrelin levels
Assessment of change in circulating ghrelin levels.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in serum GLP-1 levels
Assessment of change in circulating GLP-1 levels.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in fat mass
Assessment of change in total body fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in fat-free mass
Assessment of change in fat-free mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in body fat percentage
Assessment of change in body fat percentage measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in eating behavior scores
Assessment of eating behavior using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 21 (TFEQ-R21). The questionnaire evaluates cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating behaviors. Scores range from 21 to 84, with higher scores indicating more problematic eating behaviors.
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
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