# Safety and efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation for preventing disuse syndrome in elderly hemodialysis patients: a pilot study

## TL;DR

A pilot study explores whether belt-type electrical stimulation can safely improve physical function in elderly hemodialysis patients who struggle with exercise.

## Contribution

This study is the first to investigate the safety and potential efficacy of belt-type electrical stimulation in frail elderly hemodialysis patients.

## Key findings

- B-SES showed trends toward improved physical function without increasing inflammation.
- CT scans revealed increased thigh muscle cross-sectional area and improved intramuscular fat composition.
- Reduced intramyocellular lipids correlated with better physical performance (p < 0.05).

## Abstract

Elderly 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.

In 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).

Five 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).

B-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.