Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Action Observation for Healthy Aging

Summary

Aging is associated with a decline in muscle strength and the functionality of the perceptual structures involved in proprioception. This decline results in a gradual loss of autonomy in daily activities. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been shown to be an effective technique in limiting the decline in strength. Action observation (AO) is a cognitive technique, which has been shown to improve motor performance, especially when combined with peripheral stimulation.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a self-administered, home-based intervention combining NMES and AO improves upper limb muscle strength and proprioceptive abilities in healthy elderly individuals.

Participants within the age range of 65-85 years will be recruited for this study. The intervention is scheduled to span a duration of four weeks, encompassing three treatment sessions per week. Participants will be randomly divided into three groups: NMES, AO, and AO-NMES. Assessments will be performed before and immediately after the intervention. They will include muscle strength evaluation (handgrip strength, maximal isometric force of the biceps, bench press power), and perceptual evaluation (weight discrimination during an AO task, weight judgment tasks).

This study may suggest an original approach, cost-effective approach to mitigate the effects of physiological aging on muscle and sensorimotor function, with potential applications for frail populations, unable or unmotivated to perform conventional physical activity.

Conditions

• Aging, Healthy

Interventions

COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Action Observation - Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

During the warm-up phase, the NMES will be set with a frequency of 50 Hz and a pulse duration at 400 μs and the intensity at motor threshold. Meanwhile participants will observe video showing movements of activity of daily living. At the end of the warm-up phase, the exercise phase will be administered at functional threshold (the minimum intensity required for a complete arm flexion or at maximal tolerated intensity (f=100Hz, t=400 μs).

COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Action Observation

During the warm-up phase, the NMES will be set with a frequency of 50 Hz and a pulse duration at 400 μs and the intensity at motor threshold. Meanwhile participants will observe video showing movements of activity of daily living. At the end of the warm-up phase, participants will receive a NMES sham treatment (f=5Hz, t=100 μs) delivered at sensory threshold, known to be ineffective in increasing muscle strength.

COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

During the warm-up phase, the NMES will be set with a frequency of 50 Hz and a pulse duration at 400 μs and the intensity at motor threshold. Meanwhile participants will observe video showing different landscapes. At the end of the warm-up phase, the exercise phase will be administered at functional threshold (the minimum intensity required for a complete arm flexion or at maximal tolerated intensity (f=100Hz, t=400 μs).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universita degli Studi di Genova

  collaborator OTHER

• Ambra Bisio

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-02

Primary Completion

2026-02-28

Completion

2026-03-31

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations