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NCT Number: NCT07646405

Combined Effects of NMES and LIRT on Muscle Strength, Girth, and Physical Endurance in the Geriatric Population

This study will employ a randomized controlled trial design with a pre-post design to investigate the combined effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and Low-Intensity Resistance Training (LIRT) on muscle strength, muscle girth, and physical endurance in the geriatric population. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group.

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Key information

Age range

65 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

  • Informed Consent: Obtain informed consent from participants before starting the study.
  • Demographic Data Collection: Collect demographic data, including age, sex, height, weight, and medical history.
  • Muscle Strength Assessment: Measure muscle strength using a dynamometer (e.g., handgrip strength or knee extension strength).
  • Muscle Girth Measurement: Measure muscle girth using a flexible measuring tape (e.g., mid-upper arm or thigh circumference).
  • 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT): Conduct the 6MWT to assess physical endurance. Intervention
  • NMES Sessions: Administer NMES sessions 2-3 times a week for 4-5 weeks.
  • LIRT Sessions: Conduct LIRT exercises 2-3 times a week for 4-5weeks, targeting major muscle groups of upper and lower limb.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

• Age: 65 to 85 (35)

  • Both male and female will be added(29)
  • Patients with low calf muscle mass <31.5 cm for females and <33.5 cm for males will be included in this study(36).
  • Participants able to complete the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test in ≤ 10 seconds (men) or ≤ 11 seconds (women)(37).
  • Participants must have ability to walk independently and absence of severe medical conditions(29).
  • Participants who takes > 12 seconds to complete TUG will be included in this study(38

Exclusion criteria

• Participants with contraindications to NMES or RT, such as pacemakers or severe cardiovascular disease(29).

  • Participants with a MoCA score of less than 26 will be excluded to ensure adequate cognitive ability to comprehend and follow the study protocol, including exercise and neuromuscular stimulation procedures (39).
  • Participants with any musculoskeletal issues will be excluded from this study(35).
  • Participants with neuromuscular disorders that may affect muscle strength or function(29).

Treatment and study plan

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Other

Prior to the initiation of resistance training, participants will receive 20 minutes of NMES targeting the gastrocnemius and calf muscles Frequency: 35 Hz Pulse duration: 300 µs

Following NMES, participants will undergo a 20-minute LIRT session comprising the following exercises:

low intensity resistance training

Other

Seated Leg Press with Thera Band Resistance (Sole Support Position) Participants will be seated with a Thera Band looped around the soles of their feet and held in the hands to provide resistance during leg extension.

Repetitions: 10 Sets: 3 Rest Interval: 30-60 seconds between sets

Primary outcomes

  1. Manual muscle testing (MMT) for strength measurement

    Time frame: baseline to 4 week

    Muscle strength will be assessed using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) of the plantar flexors and knee extensors based on the Medical Research Council (MRC) 0-5 grading scale. Each muscle group will be tested twice on the dominant side, and the higher grade will be recorded. Participants with grades ≤3 will be classified as having low muscle strength, while those with grades ≥4 will be considered to have sufficient strength for participation in low-intensity resistance training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). MMT is a reliable and widely used clinical method for muscle strength assessment

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Isha butt butt, DPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

03324390215

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Combined Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Low-intensity Resistance Training on Muscle Strength, Girth, and Physical Endurance in Geriatric Population

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 12, 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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