Objective: To determine the motor and non-motor benefits of WB-EMS in a patient with Parkinson’s disease

Background: Parkinson’s disease causes both motor and non-motor symptoms. Each patient experiences these symptoms in various ways and at different severities. WB-EMS training is a novel FDA-cleared technology (1). It has been found to be safe for use in senior citizens (1). It simultaneously stimulates main muscle groups using percutaneous electrical impulse transmission offering a time-efficient and adaptable treatment (1). The benefit of this treatment has not yet been determined in the Parkinson’s population

Method: A 77-year-old male, Hoehn and Yahr stage 3, completed a WB-EMS rehabilitation trial. It consisted of one, 20 min WB-EMS session per week across 12-weeks. He continued to perform all his other usual activities. WB-EMS consists of wearing a vest, arm, gluteal and leg straps. They are connected with wires to the WB-EMS device (1). Biphasic electrical stimulation is delivered at a frequency that elicits a score of 6 or 7 on the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale. These frequencies were ‘titrated’ up each week based on the patient’s tolerance. Physical training sessions were performed by WB-EMS certified physiotherapists. Several outcome measures were performed at baseline and at 13 weeks

Results: Results of each outcome measure can be seen in [Table 1]. A response in most outcome measures was seen, both positive and negative. The Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) was the only outcome measure which showed a difference of minimal clinical importance (MCID 10). The MCID’s definition is for the treatment to show a meaningful impact on the patient’s clinical status (2). Within the NMSS, specific sub-category versus global scale changes were seen [Graph 1]. Improvements in both severity and frequency were also noted. As the WB-EMS specifically focuses on stimulating muscles, we anticipated an improvement in motor symptoms. This could be an area of further research, as frequency stimulation progression may play a role

Conclusion: This novel WB-EMS treatment improved the NMSS with a meaningful impact on the patient’s clinical status. The improvement was in a number of sub-categories and both in severity and frequency. This shows a promising new treatment which requires further investigation. The lack of motor improvements and possible causation thereof should also be investigated

Table 1

Graph 1

References: 1. Singh Sara JD, Rajai N, Ahmad A, Breuer L, Olson T, Kemmler W, Nagai T, Schilaty N, Lerman A. Physical training augmented with whole body electronic muscle stimulation favorably impacts cardiovascular biomarkers in healthy adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Cardiology. 2023;419:132706
2. Bloom DA, Kaplan DJ, Mojica E, et al. The Minimal Clinically Important Difference: A Review of Clinical Significance. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023;51(2):520-524. doi:10.1177/03635465211053869

« Back to 2025 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-benefits-of-whole-body-electro-muscle-stimulation-wb-ems-in-a-patient-with-parkinsons-disease/