Effects of electromyostimulation on muscle and bone in men with acute traumatic spinal cord injury: A randomized clinical trial

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2014 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772313Y.0000000142 · Published: May 1, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

This study investigated whether electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can help prevent muscle and bone loss in men shortly after a spinal cord injury (SCI). Eight men with recent SCI were divided into two groups: one received EMS training and the other did not. The study found that EMS training increased muscle size in the intervention group compared to the control group. However, bone loss was similar in both groups, suggesting that bone does not respond to EMS in the same way as muscle. The researchers suggest that increases in muscle mass from EMS might improve the body's ability to use insulin to take up glucose. This could have positive implications for managing glucose metabolism after SCI.

Study Duration

14 weeks

Participants

8 men with recent spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 1: Randomized controlled trial

Key Findings

1
EMS training significantly increased quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle size compared to the control group.
2
Bone mineral density (BMD) losses were similar in both the EMS and control groups.
3
Glucose and insulin peaks moved forward after the training in the intervention group, suggesting improved glucose uptake.

Research Summary

This study examined the effects of 14 weeks of electromyostimulation (EMS) training on muscle and bone loss prevention in men with recent, complete spinal cord injury (SCI). The intervention group showed a significant increase in quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle size compared to the control group, while bone losses were similar in both groups. The study concludes that skeletal muscle of patients with complete SCI retains the ability to grow in response to EMS training, but bone does not respond to similar external stimulus.

Practical Implications

Muscle Growth Potential

Skeletal muscle retains the ability to grow in response to EMS training even after complete SCI.

Limited Bone Response

Bone tissue does not respond to EMS in the same way as muscle, suggesting that other interventions may be needed to prevent bone loss.

Improved Glucose Uptake

Increases in muscle mass induced by EMS might improve insulin-induced glucose uptake, which is beneficial for managing glucose metabolism after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size
2
Study length may have been insufficient to observe bone benefits
3
Adequate matching may never be possible in the SCI population due to inter-individual variability

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