Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Feasibility of Lower-Body EMS Resistance Training in Postmenopausal Women

South Korea16 participantsStarted 2026-06-01

Plain-language summary

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates whether combining lower-body electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) with resistance training is feasible and beneficial for physically inactive postmenopausal women, who experience concurrent declines in muscle strength, body composition, arterial elasticity, and cardiac autonomic balance. Sixteen physically inactive postmenopausal women aged 50-70 years are randomly assigned (1:1) to either (A) supervised resistance training combined with lower-body EMS (applied to 6 muscle groups: lower back, lower abdomen, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves) or (B) supervised resistance training alone. Both groups complete twelve 50-minute sessions (consisting of a 10-minute warm-up, 30-minute main exercise, and a 10-minute cool-down) over 6 weeks (twice weekly). Assessments before and after the intervention include body composition, lower-body muscle function, arterial stiffness, and 5-minute heart rate variability. The primary aim is to determine the feasibility of the protocol(recruitment, retention, session attendance, and intervention dose delivery) to inform a future definitive trial. Preliminary estimates of intervention effects on the measured outcomes are reported as secondary aims.

Who can participate

Age range

50 Years – 70 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Women aged 50 to 70 years. * Menopause for at least 1 year with no current menstruation. * Physically inactive (have not participated in resistance training more than twice a week for the past 6 months) Exclusion Criteria: * Currently receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT). * Presence of implanted electrical medical devices. * Severe or uncontrolled medical conditions. * Any surgery within the past 6 months. * Acute illness with fever, infection, or active inflammation. * Severe peripheral arterial disease or abdominal/inguinal hernia. * Severe psychiatric disorders requiring medication, or current substance abuse. * Deemed physically or mentally unfit to participate in the exercise program by the investigator.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Composite Feasibility Outcome (Recruitment, Retention, Session Attendance, and Intervention Dose Delivery)

Timeframe: Baseline and Week 6

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07628790

SponsorSeoul National University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-07

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