Quick Overview

Introduction: Why the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest Exists

ORIEMS FIT Research Digest exists to make real scientific research easier to understand.

We read published university studies.
We translate them into simple language.
We remove hype.
We avoid exaggerated claims.

This article is for educational purposes only.
It is not medical advice.
It is not a diagnosis.
It is not a treatment recommendation.

Our goal is to help you make calm, informed decisions.

What Is This Study About?

This study examined people with chronic low back pain.

The researchers focused on a deep spinal muscle called the lumbar multifidus.
This muscle plays an important role in stabilising the spine.

The main question was:

Can a 10-week electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) program change this muscle in measurable ways?

Two different stimulation programs were tested on the lower back.

Who Conducted the Study?

The study was conducted in Montreal, Canada, within a university health and human performance research setting.

What Type of Electrical Stimulation Was Used?

The device delivered medium-frequency interferential current (IFC).
This type of stimulation is designed to stimulate muscles.

Simple clarification:

• EMS / NMES: Aims to trigger muscle contractions.

• TENS: Typically targets sensory nerves and is commonly used for comfort signals.

This study used muscle-focused stimulation, not classic TENS.

Who Was Studied?

Participants were adults aged 18 to 60 with chronic non-specific low back pain lasting more than 3 months.

How Did They Study It?

Number of Participants

• 35 participants were recruited.

• 28 completed the full 10-week program.

Study Design

This was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with two active groups.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two stimulation programs.

There was no non-stimulation control group.
The study compared two EMS approaches to each other.

Duration

• 10 weeks

• 2 sessions per week

Protocol Details

All participants used the same stimulation system applied to the lower back.

Session length increased over time:

• Weeks 1–3: 20 minutes

• Weeks 4–6: 25 minutes

• Weeks 7–10: 30 minutes

Two programs were compared:

Phasic Program

• 3 kHz carrier frequency

• 50 Hz modulation

Combined Program

• 3 kHz carrier frequency

• 4 Hz and 50 Hz modulation

Intensity was increased until a strong but comfortable muscle contraction was felt.

Measurements Used

The researchers used both imaging and symptom-based measures.

Muscle-focused measures:

• MRI scans for muscle size and fat infiltration

• Ultrasound for muscle thickness during contraction

• Ultrasound elastography for muscle stiffness

Symptom and function measures:

• Pain ratings (0–10 scale)

• Disability scores

• Pain interference scores

• Pain catastrophising scores

What Did They Find?

The results showed a clear pattern.

1. Muscle Structure Changes Were Mostly Minimal

Most MRI and ultrasound measurements did not show major changes after 10 weeks.

One positive imaging finding was observed:

• The combined group showed a reduction in fat infiltration at one spinal level on one side (Left L5–S1).

However:

• This was not a broad structural change.

• It was isolated to one location.

Overall, the imaging results were mostly neutral.

2. Pain and Daily-Life Scores Improved Over Time

Even though structural muscle changes were limited, participants reported improvements over the 10 weeks.

Improvements were observed in:

• Pain levels

• Pain while sitting

• Pain during movement

• Disability scores

• Pain interference

• Pain catastrophising

The phasic program showed stronger improvement for:

• Pain while sitting

• Pain interference

In simple terms:

The muscle scans did not show dramatic rebuilding.
But people reported that pain affected them less and daily life felt easier.

What Does This Mean for Someone Considering EMS?

Safety

This was a supervised clinical study.
It excluded individuals with higher-risk conditions.

If you have:

• An implanted medical device

• Heart rhythm conditions

• Epilepsy

• Pregnancy

• Severe or worsening symptoms

You should consult a qualified health professional before using electrical stimulation.

Mechanism of Action (Simple Explanation)

EMS sends electrical impulses that trigger muscle contractions.
This can provide repeated stimulation to a muscle, even if voluntary activation is difficult.

Realistic Expectations

This study does not support dramatic promises like:
“EMS will rebuild deep back muscles quickly.”

Most structural muscle measures did not clearly change in 10 weeks.

What was observed:

• Improvements in pain-related and daily-life scores.

Who It May Suit

This type of program may suit people who:

• Want a structured weekly routine

• Prefer strong but comfortable stimulation

• Focus on functional improvement rather than visible muscle change

Who Should Seek Professional Advice First

Consult a health professional before starting EMS if you:

• Have a medical condition

• Have implanted electronic devices

• Are pregnant

• Have seizure history

• Have heart conditions

• Have unexplained or worsening pain

What Does This Mean for Someone Already Using EMS?

Consistency Matters

Participants completed 20 sessions over 10 weeks.
Occasional use is not comparable to this structure.

Proper Use Matters

Intensity was adjusted to a strong but comfortable level.
Comfort supports long-term consistency.

Realistic Timelines

In this study:

• Symptom improvements were clearer than structural muscle changes.

So progress may look like:

• Sitting feels easier.

• Daily tasks feel less disrupted.

• Pain feels less overwhelming.

Rather than:

• “My deep muscle visibly grew.”

EMS vs TENS Reminder

• EMS/NMES: Focused on muscle contraction.

• TENS: Primarily sensory stimulation.

This study used muscle-focused stimulation.

Conclusion

This 10-week randomised trial compared two EMS programs for chronic low back pain.

Most muscle imaging measures showed minimal change.
However, improvements were observed in pain and daily-life impact scores.

This supports a balanced view:

EMS may contribute to improved function and comfort over time.
It should not be viewed as a rapid structural muscle rebuilding tool.

If you want the full technical details, read the original study listed below.

Detailed Research Summary Table

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Disclaimer 

This article is provided for educational purposes only.

It is not medical advice.
It is not a diagnosis.
It is not a treatment recommendation.

ORIEMS FIT does not claim that EMS devices cure, treat, prevent, or reverse any medical condition.

Research findings described reflect controlled study conditions and may not apply to all individuals.

Individual results vary.
No outcomes are guaranteed.

Consult a qualified health professional before using electrical stimulation, especially if you have medical conditions, implanted devices, pregnancy, seizure history, or heart conditions.

This article does not replace professional medical care.

ORIEMS FIT is not affiliated with the universities, researchers, or journal mentioned.

Readers are responsible for their own health decisions.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ORIEMS FIT accepts no liability for misuse of products or misinterpretation of this content.

No reproduction rights are granted for commercial redistribution.