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Flexi Band Resistance Training Versus EMS Exercise in Patients With the Diagnosis of Malignant Diseases

Effects of Flexi Band Resistance Training Versus Different Electromyostimulation Exercise Programs in Patients With the Diagnosis of Malignant Diseases

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04067167
Acronym
FREEDOM
Enrollment
100
Registered
2019-08-26
Start date
2019-05-01
Completion date
2026-06-30
Last updated
2026-01-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cancer, Cancer Cachexia, Inflammation, Muscular Atrophy

Keywords

Cancer, Cachexia, Muscular strength, Resistance training, Body composition, Muscle mass, Physical exercise, Nutrition, whole-body electromyostimulation

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a 12-week flexi band resistance training program compared to different whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) exercise programs on muscle strength, body composition (in particular muscle mass), cardiorespiratory fitness, inflammation, and patient-reported subjective outcomes (e.g. quality of life, fatigue, performance status) in patients with malignant disease undergoing curative or palliative anti-cancer treatment.

Interventions

OTHERWB-EMS (Sham-intervention)

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS): WB-EMS with low-threshold stimulation during a study period of 12 weeks combined with standard nutritional therapy (individualized, protein-rich nutritional therapy and counseling; targeted Protein intake/day: 1.2 - 1.5 g per kg bodyweight) * patients perform simple exercises during the stimulation period following a video tutorial * time-effort per session: \~20 min * 2 training sessions per week

OTHERWB-EMS

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS): WB-EMS during study period of 12 weeks combined with standard nutritional therapy (individualized, protein-rich nutritional therapy and counseling; targeted Protein intake/day: 1.2 - 1.5 g per kg bodyweight) * WB-EMS stimulation protocol: Frequency of 85 Hz, pulse duration of 0.35 ms, stimulation period of 6 sec, resting period of 4 sec; * patients perform simple exercises during the stimulation period following a video tutorial * time-effort per session: \~20 min * 2 training sessions per week

OTHERFree WB-EMS

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) using a mobile system: WB-EMS during study period of 12 weeks combined with standard nutritional therapy (individualized, protein-rich nutritional therapy and counseling; targeted Protein intake/day: 1.2 - 1.5 g per kg bodyweight) * WB-EMS stimulation protocol: Frequency of 85 Hz, pulse duration of 0.35 ms, stimulation period of 6 sec, resting period of 4 sec; * patients perform simple exercises during the stimulation period following a video tutorial * time-effort per session: \~20 min * 2 training sessions per week

OTHERFlexi band resistance training

Flexi band resistance Training: Training during study period of 12 weeks combined with standard nutritional therapy (individualized, protein-rich nutritional therapy and counseling; targeted Protein intake/day: 1.2 - 1.5 g per kg bodyweight) * patients perform resistance exercises using flexi bands * flexi band exercises are conceptualized to activate similar muscle groups as EMS exercise * time-effort per session: \~20 min * 2 training sessions per week

Sponsors

University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Parallel Assignment parallel-group, randomized-controlled study

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* malignant disease (solid or hematological cancer): head and neck cancer, colorectal carcinoma, small intestinal cancer, gastric cancer, oesophageal cancer, pancreas carcinoma, liver cell carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, cervix cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, patients with leukaemia and malignant lymphomas or Graft-versus-Host-Disease after bone marrow transplantation * ongoing or planned curative or palliative anti-cancer therapy * ECOG-Status 0-2

Exclusion criteria

* simultaneous participation in other nutritional or exercise intervention Trials * bone metastases with high fracture risk * cardiovascular disease * use of anabolic medications * epilepsy * severe neurological or rheumatic diseases * skin lesions in the area of electrodes * energy active metals in body * pregnancy * acute vein thrombosis

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Muscle strength12 weeksMuscle strength of the five major muscle groups (chest, upper back, lower back, abdominals, legs) will be assessed by using specific strength-training devices and estimated using the one Repetition Maximum (1-RM, the maximum amount of weight \[kg\] that can be lifted for one repetition)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Muscle Mass12 weeksMuscle mass (kg) will be measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
Fat Mass12 weeksFat mass (kg) will be measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
Total Body Water12 weeksTotal body water (L) will be measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF)12 weeksCRF will be assessed by measuring Maximum Oxygen uptake (VO2max)
Inflammation status12 weeksInflammation will be assessed by measuring blood levels (mg/L) of c-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
Patient-reported performance status-112 weeksPatient-reported performance Status will be assessed using the ECOG Performance Status questionnaire. It describes a patient's level of functioning in terms of their ability to care for themself, daily activity, and physical ability. The score ranges from 0-5 (lower values = better outcome).
Patient-reported performance status-212 weeksPatient-reported performance status-2 will be assessed using the Karnofsky index. It is used methods to assess the functional status of a Patient. The score ranges from 0-100 (higher value = better outcome).
Patient-reported Quality of Life (QoL)12 weeksPatient-reported QoL will be assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. It contains 30 questions (items), representing various aspects/dimensions of QoL (physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social), and 3 symptom scales (fatigue, pain and nausea).The scales of the different dimensions of QoL (higher values = better outcome) and symptoms (lower values = better outcomes) range from 0-100.
Patient-reported Fatigue12 weeksFatigue will be assessed using the FACIT-Fatigue scale. It contains 13 items (different aspects/dimensions of fatigue) each assessed on a scale of 0-4, with lower values indicating a better outcome).
Patient-reported Physical Activity12 weeksPatient-reported Physical Activity (PA) will be assessed using the the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). IPAQ records 4 aspects of PA (job-, transportation-, housework-, and leisure-time-related). There are two forms of output from scoring the IPAQ. Results can be reported in categories (low, moderate or high PA levels) or as a continuous variable (MET minutes a week, 1 MET = resting energy expenditure). MET minutes represent the amount of energy expended carrying out physical activity. High PA = at least 1500 MET minutes/week; moderate PA: at least 600 MET minutes/week; low PA: \< 600 MET minutes/week. Higher values represent a better outcome.
Objective Physical Activity12 weeksObejective measurement of physical activity will be preformed using Pedometers. Higher values represent a better outcome.
Cardiometabolic Risk Profile (Metabolic Syndrome Z-Score, MetS)12 weeksMetS will be calculated MetS-Z-Score will be calculated from each individual's measures of waist circumference (cm), mean arterial blood pressure (mmHg), blood levels of glucose (mg/dL), triglycerides (mg/dL), and HDL-cholesterol (mg/dL), based on equations specific to sex.

Countries

Germany

Contacts

CONTACTHans Joachim Herrmann, Dr.
hans.herrmann@uk-erlangen.de+49 9131 8545218
CONTACTYurdagül Zopf, Prof.
yurdaguel.zopf@uk-erlangen.de+49 9131 8545218
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORDejan Reljic, Dr.

University Erlangen Nuremberg Medical School

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORYurdagül Zopf, Prof.

University Erlangen Nuremberg Medical School

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026