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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation combined with individualized nutritional support on body composition in patients with advanced cancer: a controlled pilot trial

Authors: Kristin Schink, Hans J. Herrmann, Raphaela Schwappacher, Julia Meyer, Till Orlemann, Elisabeth Waldmann, Bernd Wullich, Andreas Kahlmeyer, Rainer Fietkau, Dorota Lubgan, Matthias W. Beckmann, Carolin Hack, Wolfgang Kemmler, Jürgen Siebler, Markus F. Neurath, Yurdagül Zopf

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Physical exercise and nutritional treatment are promising measures to prevent muscle wasting that is frequently observed in advanced-stage cancer patients. However, conventional exercise is not always suitable for these patients due to physical weakness and therapeutic side effects. In this pilot study, we examined the effect of a combined approach of the novel training method whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) and individualized nutritional support on body composition with primary focus on skeletal muscle mass in advanced cancer patients under oncological treatment.

Methods

In a non-randomized controlled trial design patients (56.5% male; 59.9 ± 12.7 years) with advanced solid tumors (UICC III/IV, N = 131) undergoing anti-cancer therapy were allocated to a usual care control group (n = 35) receiving individualized nutritional support or to an intervention group (n = 96) that additionally performed a supervised physical exercise program in form of 20 min WB-EMS sessions (bipolar, 85 Hz) 2×/week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome of skeletal muscle mass and secondary outcomes of body composition, body weight and hand grip strength were measured at baseline, in weeks 4, 8 and 12 by bioelectrical impedance analysis and hand dynamometer. Effects of WB-EMS were estimated by linear mixed models. Secondary outcomes of physical function, hematological and blood chemistry parameters, quality of life and fatigue were assessed at baseline and week 12. Changes were analyzed by t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank or Mann-Whitney-U-tests.

Results

Twenty-four patients of the control and 58 of the WB-EMS group completed the 12-week trial. Patients of the WB-EMS group had a significantly higher skeletal muscle mass (0.53 kg [0.08, 0.98]; p = 0.022) and body weight (1.02 kg [0.05, 1.98]; p = 0.039) compared to controls at the end of intervention. WB-EMS also significantly improved physical function and performance status (p < 0.05). No significant differences of changes in quality of life, fatigue and blood parameters were detected between the study groups after 12 weeks.

Conclusions

Supervised WB-EMS training is a safe strength training method and combined with nutritional support it shows promising effects against muscle wasting and on physical function in advanced-stage cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02293239 (Date: November 18, 2014).
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Metadata
Title
Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation combined with individualized nutritional support on body composition in patients with advanced cancer: a controlled pilot trial
Authors
Kristin Schink
Hans J. Herrmann
Raphaela Schwappacher
Julia Meyer
Till Orlemann
Elisabeth Waldmann
Bernd Wullich
Andreas Kahlmeyer
Rainer Fietkau
Dorota Lubgan
Matthias W. Beckmann
Carolin Hack
Wolfgang Kemmler
Jürgen Siebler
Markus F. Neurath
Yurdagül Zopf
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-018-4790-y

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