Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study
BackgroundElderly hemodialysis (HD) patients frequently experience reduced physical activity due to treatment-related immobility and fatigue, leading to accelerated functional decline. While exercise therapy is beneficial, adherence remains challenging among frail elderly patients. Belt-type electri...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1559077/full |
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| author | Misa Miura Shigeru Owada Osamu Ito Masahiro Kohzuki |
| author_facet | Misa Miura Shigeru Owada Osamu Ito Masahiro Kohzuki |
| author_sort | Misa Miura |
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| description | BackgroundElderly hemodialysis (HD) patients frequently experience reduced physical activity due to treatment-related immobility and fatigue, leading to accelerated functional decline. While exercise therapy is beneficial, adherence remains challenging among frail elderly patients. Belt-type electrical stimulation (B-SES) presents a potential alternative, though evidence for its safety and efficacy in this population is limited.MethodsIn this 12-week prospective intervention study, eight frail maintenance HD patients (mean age 75.5 ± 0.9 years) received B-SES therapy during HD sessions. Outcomes were assessed through physical function measures, biochemical markers, quality of life indices, and body composition analysis using multiple imaging modalities (BIA, CT, 1H-MRS).ResultsFive participants completed the intervention, with three withdrawals unrelated to the treatment. Physical function measures showed a trend toward improvement without elevation in inflammatory markers. While BIA showed no significant changes in muscle mass, CT analysis revealed increased thigh muscle cross-sectional area, and 1H-MRS indicated improvements in intramuscular fat composition. A significant correlation emerged between reduced intramyocellular lipids and improved physical performance measures (p < 0.05).ConclusionB-SES demonstrated safety and potential efficacy in improving physical function and muscle quality among frail elderly HD patients. From a public health perspective, B-SES may serve as a feasible and accessible intervention for this population, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, further studies are needed to determine its cost-effectiveness in comparison with conventional exercise therapy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a8b6094a79964268b9248ff735eca8d3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-6861 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-a8b6094a79964268b9248ff735eca8d32025-08-20T03:27:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences2673-68612025-07-01610.3389/fresc.2025.15590771559077Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot studyMisa Miura0Shigeru Owada1Osamu Ito2Masahiro Kohzuki3Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tsukuba University of Technology, Tsukuba, JapanAsao Clinic, Kawasaki, JapanDivision of General Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Tohoku Medical Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, JapanYamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Yamagata, JapanBackgroundElderly hemodialysis (HD) patients frequently experience reduced physical activity due to treatment-related immobility and fatigue, leading to accelerated functional decline. While exercise therapy is beneficial, adherence remains challenging among frail elderly patients. Belt-type electrical stimulation (B-SES) presents a potential alternative, though evidence for its safety and efficacy in this population is limited.MethodsIn this 12-week prospective intervention study, eight frail maintenance HD patients (mean age 75.5 ± 0.9 years) received B-SES therapy during HD sessions. Outcomes were assessed through physical function measures, biochemical markers, quality of life indices, and body composition analysis using multiple imaging modalities (BIA, CT, 1H-MRS).ResultsFive participants completed the intervention, with three withdrawals unrelated to the treatment. Physical function measures showed a trend toward improvement without elevation in inflammatory markers. While BIA showed no significant changes in muscle mass, CT analysis revealed increased thigh muscle cross-sectional area, and 1H-MRS indicated improvements in intramuscular fat composition. A significant correlation emerged between reduced intramyocellular lipids and improved physical performance measures (p < 0.05).ConclusionB-SES demonstrated safety and potential efficacy in improving physical function and muscle quality among frail elderly HD patients. From a public health perspective, B-SES may serve as a feasible and accessible intervention for this population, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, further studies are needed to determine its cost-effectiveness in comparison with conventional exercise therapy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1559077/fullelderly hemodialysis patientsbelt-type electrical stimulationsafetyphysical functionbody compositionskeletal muscle mass hemodialysis |
| spellingShingle | Misa Miura Shigeru Owada Osamu Ito Masahiro Kohzuki Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences elderly hemodialysis patients belt-type electrical stimulation safety physical function body composition skeletal muscle mass hemodialysis |
| title | Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study |
| title_full | Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study |
| title_short | Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study |
| title_sort | safety and efficacy of belt type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients a pilot study |
| topic | elderly hemodialysis patients belt-type electrical stimulation safety physical function body composition skeletal muscle mass hemodialysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1559077/full |
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