WB-EMS and Diet Effects on Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Markers, and Myokines in Obese Women

NCT07675382 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: FU_MAcik_WB-EMS_202530456
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of an 8-week whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) combined with a hypocaloric diet on body composition, cardiometabolic markers, and serum levels of the myokines irisin and betatrophin (ANGPTL8) in women with obesity. Participants were randomly assigned to either a diet-only group or a diet plus WB-EMS group. WB-EMS sessions were conducted twice weekly (20-25 minutes per session) over 8 weeks. The primary outcomes included BMI, body fat percentage, lean body mass, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, lipid profile, CRP, and serum irisin and betatrophin concentrations. The study aimed to evaluate whether WB-EMS adds metabolic and myokine-related benefits beyond those achieved by dietary restriction alone in obese women.

Conditions

Obesity

Keywords

Whole-body electromyostimulation; Irisin; Betatrophin

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Body Weight

  Changes in body weight (kg) measured by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analyser (InBody 270) from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks).

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Changes in body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) measured by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analyser (InBody 270) from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks).

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• Body Fat Percentage

  Changes in body fat percentage (%) measured by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analyser (InBody 270) from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks).

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• Fat Mass

  Changes in fat mass (kg) measured by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analyser (InBody 270) from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks).

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• Fat-Free Mass (Lean Body Mass)

  Changes in fat-free mass / lean body mass (kg) measured by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analyser (InBody 270) from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks).

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• Waist Circumference

  Changes in waist circumference (cm) measured by standard anthropometric tape from baseline to post-intervention (8 weeks).

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• Serum Insulin

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

• Total Cholesterol (TC)

  8 weeks (baseline to post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Diet Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received an 8-week individualized hypocaloric diet program only. The diet was prescribed based on the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation with a 500 kcal/day deficit.

Behavioral: Hypocaloric Diet

Diet + WB-EMS

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received an 8-week individualized hypocaloric diet program combined with whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training. The diet was prescribed based on the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation with a 500 kcal/day deficit. WB-EMS sessions were performed twice per week for 20 minutes using a full-body electrostimulation suit.

Behavioral: Hypocaloric Diet; Device: Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS)

Interventions

Hypocaloric Diet BEHAVIORAL

An individualized hypocaloric diet with a 500 kcal/day deficit calculated using the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation, prescribed to both study arms for 8 weeks.

Diet + WB-EMS; Diet Only

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) DEVICE

WB-EMS training was performed twice per week for 8 weeks, with 20-minute sessions using a full-body electrostimulation suit. Stimulation parameters: frequency 85 Hz, pulse width 350 µs, intermittent mode (4 s on / 4 s off), with simultaneous dynamic exercises.

Diet + WB-EMS

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adult women aged 18-65 years
• BMI \>= 30 kg/m2 (obesity)
• Sedentary lifestyle (no regular physical activity for the past 6 months)
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, or implanted pacemaker/defibrillator
• Active cancer or ongoing chemotherapy/radiotherapy
• Use of medications affecting body weight or metabolic parameters
• Prior WB-EMS training experience
• Skin conditions contraindicating electrode use

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Firat University: lead
• Dicle University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Firat University

Elâzığ, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Fazilet Erman, Dr

  Firat University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Feray Cagiran Yilmaz, Dr

  Dicle University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Esra Das, Msc

  Firat University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2026
• First Posted: June 30, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)