Welcome back to the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest! In this post, we’re sharing a fascinating study on a unique technique called Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), which may offer some benefits for people who can’t move much due to severe illness. At ORIEMS FIT, we aim to bring research that sparks curiosity and empowers you with knowledge. Remember, this is for informational fun – always talk to a healthcare provider if you’re curious about anything you read here.
Study Details
- Original Study Name: Electrical muscle stimulation preserves the muscle mass of critically ill patients: a randomized study
- Authors: Vasiliki Gerovasili, Konstantinos Stefanidis, et al.
- Published: 2009
- Location: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
This research was conducted in Athens, Greece, at the prestigious National and Kapodistrian University, one of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe. The study was supported by the Greek Ministry of Development and the Thorax Foundation.
What Was This Research About?
The study examined EMS and its impact on muscle preservation in people critically ill in the hospital. These patients often experience severe muscle loss because they’re unable to move or exercise, which leads to a fast decline in muscle mass.
Who Was This Study Done On?
The study included 49 hospital patients who were very sick and mostly unable to move on their own. They were randomly divided into two groups: one that received EMS on their leg muscles and one that did not.
How Did They Do It?
Researchers used a small device to deliver EMS to the leg muscles, specifically the quadriceps (the big thigh muscle) and another small muscle in the lower leg. EMS sessions lasted about an hour each day for a week. Ultrasound, which takes images of the muscles, was used to measure any changes.
What Were the Findings?
The muscle size of both groups reduced, as expected with critical illness. However, the EMS group showed less muscle loss. For example, the EMS group’s thigh muscles only decreased by around 8%, while the non-EMS group experienced around 14% muscle loss. This suggests that EMS may help slow down muscle wasting in people who are critically ill and unable to exercise.
Why EMS Could Help
EMS works by making muscles contract, similar to how they would if a person were moving. For someone who can’t exercise, EMS could give the muscles some activity, preventing them from weakening as quickly.
How This Study Might Help EMS Device Users
For EMS device users, this study suggests EMS could support muscle maintenance even when physical movement is limited. This might be beneficial for people who face periods of immobility due to illness or other conditions.
Original Research Link
This study can be read in full here. BioMed Central published it, which means it’s peer-reviewed and reliable, adding credibility to the findings.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/cc8123
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