Effects of Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise on Adults With Neuromuscular Disease

Summary

This single-arm pilot study evaluates the effects of whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) exercise on neuromuscular and physical function in adults with neuromuscular disease (NMD). Due to motor unit impairments, NMD patients often cannot tolerate traditional exercise. WB-EMS bypasses voluntary activation limits by directly stimulating muscle contractions. Up to 50 adults with conditions like ALS, SMA, and MG will undergo 20-minute supervised WB-EMS sessions (1-2 times weekly for 4-8 weeks) using the Katalyst system. Outcomes include neural excitability (TMS), motor unit behavior (EMG, NCS), functional tests (walk, balance, strength), and patient-reported fatigue, pain, and quality of life. Strict safety monitoring and exclusion criteria are in place. This study will provide preliminary data on WB-EMS as a potential exercise modality for NMD.

Conditions

• Neuromuscular Diseases (NMD)
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Lambert-eaton Myasthenic Syndrome
• Primary Lateral Sclerosis
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT)
• Fascioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
• Inclusion Body Myositis
• Mitochondrial Myopathy
• Nemaline Myopathy
• Centronuclear Myopathy
• Postpolio Syndrome
• Pompe Disease (Late-onset)
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
• Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
• Progressive Muscular Atrophy

Interventions

DEVICE

Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Exercise

Katalyst is a fitness device that delivers Whole-body Electrical Muscle Stimulation in conjunction with exercise programs (WB-EMS Exercise). After donning a base layer consisting of fitted shorts and shirt, a vest, shorts, and arm straps with integrated electrodes mapped to major muscle groups (biceps, triceps, pectorals, abdominals, periscapular musculature, paraspinal musculature, gluteus musculature, quadriceps, and hamstrings) are donned. The suit connects to an impulse pack that communicates with the Katalyst iPad App to deliver the programmed stimulation to the participant. Within the Katalyst App, there are leveled exercise programs where low levels (i.e. Level 1 and 2) are simple movements and higher levels (i.e. Levels 3, 4, and 5) have more complex and dynamic movements. There is complete user control of the stimulation level of each individual muscle group to tailor to participant responses and tolerance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Missouri-Columbia

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-10

Primary Completion

2030-12-31

Completion

2031-01-07

FDA Device

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations