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NCT Number: NCT07826754

Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation in Overweight/Obese Postmenopausal Women

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of a 16-week whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) program on body composition, cardiometabolic health, functional capacity, quality of life, and satisfaction with life in overweight/obese postmenopausal women. The study will examine whether adding WB-EMS to a supervised exercise program results in greater improvements in these outcomes compared with the same exercise program performed without electrical stimulation.

Participants will be randomly allocated to either the WB-EMS group or the control group. Both groups will participate in a 16-week supervised exercise program consisting of two sessions per week, with at least 48 hours between consecutive sessions.

Participants in the WB-EMS group will perform supervised exercise sessions with whole-body electrical stimulation. WB-EMS will be delivered using bipolar electrical impulses at a frequency of 85 Hz and a pulse width of 350 μs, with an intermittent stimulation pattern of 4 seconds of stimulation followed by 4 seconds of rest. The exercise program will include dynamic resistance and functional exercises involving major muscle groups, including squats, lunges, upper-body pushing and pulling movements, and trunk exercises.

The control group will perform the same supervised exercise program without electrical stimulation. Exercise type, session duration, weekly frequency, intervention duration, supervision, and progression will be matched between groups to isolate the additional effects of WB-EMS.

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Key information

Conditions

Postmenopausal Women Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

48 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba Kef, Boulifa, Tunisia, 7100

Tunis, Boulifa, 7100, Tunisia

About this study

This study is designed to investigate the effects of a 16-week whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) program on body composition, cardiometabolic markers, functional capacity, quality of life, and satisfaction with life in overweight/obese postmenopausal women. A total of 30 overweight/obese postmenopausal women will be randomly allocated to either the whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) group (n=15) or the control group (n=15). Participants in both groups will participate in a 16-week supervised exercise program consisting of two sessions per week, with at least 48 hours between consecutive sessions.

Participants in the WB-EMS group will perform 20-minute exercise sessions while receiving whole-body electrical stimulation. WB-EMS will be delivered using bipolar electrical impulses at a frequency of 85 Hz and a pulse width of 350 μs, with an intermittent stimulation pattern of 4 seconds of stimulation followed by 4 seconds of rest. During the sessions, participants will perform dynamic resistance and functional exercises involving major muscle groups, including squats, lunges, upper-body pushing and pulling movements, and trunk exercises.

The control group will perform the same supervised exercise program without electrical stimulation. Exercise type, session duration, weekly frequency, intervention duration, supervision, and progression will be matched between groups to isolate the additional effects of WB-EMS.

Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the 16-week intervention. The assessments will include body composition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, functional capacity assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile [triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)]. Quality of life and satisfaction with life will also be assessed using validated questionnaires.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m²
  • Age 48-60 years
  • Postmenopausal status, defined as amenorrhea for >12 consecutive months
  • Stable eating habits

Exclusion criteria

  • Any medical condition or contraindication that prevents participation in physical exercise
  • Cardiovascular diseases (hypertension or heart failure)
  • Metabolic or inflammatory disorders (uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or autoimmune diseases)

Treatment and study plan

Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training

Other

Participants will complete a 16-week supervised exercise program consisting of two sessions per week, with at least 48 hours between consecutive sessions. The WB-EMS group will perform 20-minute sessions while receiving bipolar electrical stimulation at 85 Hz with a pulse width of 350 μs, using an intermittent 4-second stimulation/4-second rest pattern. Exercises will include squats, lunges, upper-body pushing and pulling movements, and trunk exercises targeting major muscle groups. Stimulation intensity will be individually adjusted according to participants' tolerance, with a target perceived intensity of approximately 5-7 on a 0-10 scale.

Supervised exercise without whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS)

Behavioral

The control group will perform the same exercise program without electrical stimulation. Exercise type, session duration, weekly frequency, intervention duration, supervision, and progression will be matched between groups to isolate the additional effect of WB-EMS.

Primary outcomes

  1. Body Mass Index (BMI)

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention.

    BMI calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²)

  2. Body fat percentage

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Bodyfat percentage determined from four skinfold sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular, and supra-iliac) using a calibrated Harpenden Skinfold Caliper. Measurements expressed as %.

  3. Waist circumference

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention.]

    Measured at the narrowest point between the rib cage and iliac crest using a non-elastic tape measure. Measurements expressed in cm.

  4. Hip circumference

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Measured at the widest point of the hips using a non-elastic tape measure. Measurements expressed in cm.

  5. Total Cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention.

    Plasma total cholesterol concentration (mg/dL).

  6. Triglycerides

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Plasma triglyceride concentration (mg/dL)

  7. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Plasma HDL cholesterol concentration (mg/dL)

  8. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention.

    Plasma LDL cholesterol concentration (mg/dL)

  9. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Distance

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention.

    Distance walked in 6 minutes on a 30-meter straight corridor

  10. Menopause-specific quality-of-life score (MENQOL)

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Menopause-specific quality of life will be assessed using the validated Arabic version of the 29-item Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL). Higher scores indicate poorer quality of life.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Fasting glucose

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Fasting plasma glucose concentration (mmol/L).

  2. Blood Pressure (Systolic and Diastolic)

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Measured using an automated arm cuff (Omron BP652)

  3. Resting Heart Rate

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Measured using automated device (Omron BP652)

  4. Satisfaction with life

    Time frame: Baseline and after the 16 weeks of the training intervention

    Global life satisfaction will be assessed using the validated Arabic version of the 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Each item is scored from 1 to 7, with a total score ranging from 5 to 35. Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction with life

Interested in participating?

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Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of a 16-Week Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Program on Cardiometabolic Markers, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Overweight/Obese Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Sep 17, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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