Obesity & Overweight
Conditions
Keywords
Electrical Muscle Stimulation, diet, weight loss, appetite
Brief summary
This randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of diet, exercise, and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) on body measurements, blood test results, and appetite in women with overweight or obesity. A total of 75 women aged 19-45 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher were randomly assigned to one of three groups: diet alone, diet plus exercise, or diet plus EMS. All participants received an individualized energy-restricted diet. Participants in the exercise group also performed at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walking daily, while participants in the EMS group received abdominal EMS twice per week for six weeks. Body measurements, selected biochemical parameters, and appetite-related measures, including hunger, satiety, and desire to eat, were assessed before and after the six-week intervention. The study aimed to determine whether adding exercise or EMS to an individualized energy-restricted diet provides additional benefits for body composition, metabolic health, and appetite regulation in women with overweight or obesity.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled study included 75 women aged 19-45 years with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²). Eligible participants were randomly assigned to three intervention groups, with 25 participants in each group. All participants received an individualized energy-restricted dietary program designed to provide an energy deficit of approximately 500 kcal/day. The dietary plans provided approximately 55-60% of total energy from carbohydrates, 12-15% from protein, and 25-30% from fat, with a target dietary fiber intake of 25-30 g/day. Participants attended weekly follow-up visits throughout the intervention. Participants in the Diet Group received the individualized dietary intervention alone. Participants in the Diet + Exercise Group received the same dietary intervention and were instructed to perform at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walking daily throughout the six-week intervention. Participants in the Diet + EMS Group received the dietary intervention together with localized abdominal electrical muscle stimulation. EMS was administered twice weekly on non-consecutive days for six weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Each EMS session lasted approximately 25 minutes. Anthropometric assessments included body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, neck circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, body fat percentage, fat mass, and fat-free mass. Selected biochemical parameters were assessed using fasting blood samples. Appetite-related outcomes, including hunger, satiety, and desire to eat, were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Measurements were obtained at baseline and after completion of the six-week intervention. The primary objective was to compare changes in anthropometric outcomes among the three intervention groups. Additional evaluations examined changes in biochemical parameters and subjective appetite-related outcomes.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALIndividualized Energy-Restricted Diet
Participants received an individualized energy-restricted diet designed to provide an energy deficit of approximately 500 kcal/day. The diet provided 55-60% of total energy from carbohydrates, 12-15% from protein, and 25-30% from fat, with a target fiber intake of 25-30 g/day. Participants attended weekly follow-up visits throughout the 6-week intervention period.
BEHAVIORALModerate-Intensity Walking
Participants were instructed to perform at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity walking daily throughout the 6-week intervention period. Walking intensity was defined as producing a slight increase in heart rate and breathing while allowing participants to maintain conversation comfortably.
Localized abdominal electrical muscle stimulation was administered twice weekly on non-consecutive days for 6 weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Each session lasted approximately 25 minutes. Four surface electrodes were positioned symmetrically on the abdominal region. Stimulation was delivered at 85 Hz with a pulse width of approximately 300-400 μs, and intensity was increased according to individual tolerance to achieve visible and palpable muscle contractions without pain or discomfort.
Sponsors
Dicle University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in parallel to one of three intervention arms: Diet, Diet plus Exercise, or Diet plus Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), with 25 participants in each arm.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
19 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Female participants aged 19-45 years * Body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m² * No more than a 5% change in body weight during the previous 3 months * Premenopausal * Not participating in a regular exercise program * Applying to the center for weight management * Willing to participate and providing written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* History of thrombosis or active thrombotic risk * Diagnosed hypertension * Pregnancy or lactation * Epilepsy * History of abdominal, gastric, or inguinal hernia * Cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electronic device * Metallic prostheses or large implants * Bariatric surgery within the previous 6 months * Use of pharmacological treatments that could affect weight loss, including GLP-1 receptor agonists or corticosteroids * Diabetes mellitus * Malignancy * Advanced renal or hepatic disease * Any medical condition contraindicating EMS application
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Body Weight | Baseline and 6 weeks | Body weight was measured in kilograms using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device (InBody 270) at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Change in body weight was evaluated by comparing the post-intervention measurement with the baseline measurement. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Body Fat Percentage | Baseline and 6 weeks | Body fat percentage was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 270) at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. |
| Change in Fat Mass | Baseline and 6 weeks | Fat mass was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 270) at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. |
| Change in Fat-Free Mass | Baseline and 6 weeks | Fat-free mass was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 270) at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. |
| Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) | Baseline and 6 weeks | Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²) at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed