Elektromyostimulation (EMS) in Cardiac Patients – Will EMS Training Be Helpful in Secondary Prevention?

The study evaluated the use of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) in patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA II-III). Fifteen patients were enrolled in the six-month programme, completing WB-EMS twice a week for 20 minutes. The aim was to determine whether EMS can represent a suitable alternative or supplement to exercise rehabilitation in patients with a limited ability to perform conventional aerobic training. After six months there was a significant improvement in physical performance. Oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold increased on average by more than 25%, in some patients by up to 96%. At the same time, a decrease in blood pressure, an increase in muscle mass and an improvement in subjectively perceived quality of life were recorded. None of the patients discontinued the study early, and no serious training-related complications were recorded. The authors conclude that WB-EMS can represent a promising supplement to cardiac rehabilitation, particularly in patients with limited options for conventional exercise training.

- 15 patients with chronic heart failure completed a 6-month WB-EMS programme. - Training took place twice a week for 20 minutes. - Oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold increased on average by more than 25%. - Some patients recorded an improvement of up to 96%. - Power at the anaerobic threshold increased by approximately 31%. - Muscle mass increased by 5-14%. - Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased. - 73% of patients reported the disappearance of back pain during the programme. - No patient discontinued the study.

The results suggest that WB-EMS can be a suitable supplement to rehabilitation in patients with heart failure and other people with a limited ability to perform conventional exercise training. Short and time-efficient training sessions can contribute to an improvement in physical fitness, muscle mass and quality of life.