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

NCT07646405 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/25/0217
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Old Age; Debility

Keywords

NMES; LIRT; Muscle strength; Girth; Geriatic population

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Manual muscle testing (MMT) for strength measurement

  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

  baseline to 4 week

Study Arms (2)

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

EXPERIMENTAL

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:

Other: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

conventinal

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

5minutes cool-down will be given after allocated interventions to participants of both groups. Gentle foot massage and stretching relaxation will be included in cool-down.

Other: lOW intensity resistance training

Interventions

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

conventinal

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:

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Unknown Facility

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Frailty

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Sabiha Arshad, MS

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Isha butt butt, DPT

CONTACT

03324390215; ishamb.09876@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2026
• First Posted: June 12, 2026
• Study Start: May 17, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 6, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 6, 2026
• Last Updated: June 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)