Is the Flexi-bar exercise tool useful for combating loss of muscular strength?

ISRCTN ISRCTN14316668
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14316668
EudraCT/CTIS number Nil Known
ClinicalTrials.gov number Nil Known
Secondary identifying numbers NSFHB2019
Submission date
02/10/2020
Registration date
10/11/2020
Last edited
17/06/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Dynapenia is defined as age-related loss of muscle strength and power. It is strongly associated with a high risk of falls, poor physical performance, disability and death. Flexi-bar is a type of vibration training. It has bee used as a strength training device in recent years. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects and mechanisms of 12-week Flexi-bar training program on muscle strength and physical function in the older people with dynapenia.

Who can participate?
People aged over 65 yrs with dynapenia (age-related muscle loss) can participate in this study.

What does the study involve?
Community-dwelling seniors with dynapenia will be randomly divided into 3 equal groups, namely, Flexi-bar group, sham group and control group (no training) for 12-week Flexi-bar training. Assessments will be done before and after the intervention and 12-week follow-up.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Long-term Flexi-bar use has positive effects on muscle strength and physical function in old people. The older people with dynapenia might gain muscle strength after a 12-week Flexi-bar training. Flexi-bar is a convenient and safe training device for older people.

Where is the study run from?
This study will run in Health Service Centers in General Hospital of the Yangtze River Shipping, Wuhan (China)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2020 to December 2023

Who is funding the study?
Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (Project #2019CFB349)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Ning Wei (Nicole), nicole.weining@whpu.edu.cn

Contact information

Dr Ning Wei
Scientific

Room 309
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
College of Health Science & Nursing
Wuhan Polytechnic University
Wuhan
430048
China

Phone +86 18171499135
Email nicole.weining@whpu.edu.cn

Study information

Study designInterventional single-blinded randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeTreatment
Scientific titleThe effect and mechanisms of Flexi-bar on muscle strength and physical performance in the older people with dynapenia
Study objectivesFlexi-bar can improve muscle strength and physical performance in the older people with dynapenia
Ethics approval(s)Approved 29/09/2020, Yangtze river shipping general hospital, Wuhan brain hospital, Ethical review board (5 Huiji Road, Jiangan District, Wuhan, China; +862782451304; chzyykjc@163.com), ref: L20200013
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDynapenia
InterventionCurrent interventions as of 25/03/2021:
The participants will be randomized to flexi-bar group, sham group and control group (no training). Training sessions (3 days/week, for 12 weeks) will be conducted at the General Hospital of Yangtze River Shipping, Wuhan. Each training session will include 10 sets of 30-second vibration. One minute of rest period will be given between training set to avoid over exertion of the participants. During training, the flexi-bar group will hold a Flexi-Bar (FLEXI-BAR®; Flexi-Sports, Germany) with shoulder flexed 90° to perform an up-and-down vibration exercise. The sham group will hold the same flexi-bar with no active vibration workout to performa same up-and-down exercise. During the training sessions, the participants will be asked to stand with knee angle of 120°. All participants will be asked to keep their lifestyle as usual.

Randomization:
Each recruited participant will be given an identification number by a research assistant (CL), who performed the randomization with a computer program (Research Randomizer Form www.randomizer.org/).


Previous interventions:
The participants will be randomized to flexi-bar group, sham group and control group (no training). A total of 20 training sessions (5 days/week, 4 weeks) will be conducted in Department of Rehabilitation of Health Service Centers. Each training session will include 10 sets of 30-second vibration. One minute of rest period will be given between training set to avoid over exertion of the participants. During training, the flexi-bar group will hold a Flexi-Bar (FLEXI-BAR®; Flexi-Sports, Germany) with shoulder flexed 90° to perform an up-and-down vibration exercise. The sham group will hold the same flexi-bar with no active vibration workout to performa same up-and-down exercise. During the training sessions, the participants will be asked to stand with knee angle of 120°. All participants will be asked to keep their lifestyle as usual.

Randomization:
Each recruited participant will be given an identification number by a research assistant (CL), who performed the randomization with a computer program (Research Randomizer Form www.randomizer.org/).
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhasePhase III/IV
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)FLEXI-BAR®; Flexi-Sports, Germany
Primary outcome measureCurrent primary outcome measure as of 16/06/2021:
Fitness measured using the timed-up-and-go test (TUG) at baseline, 1 day after training completion, and 12 weeks after training completion

Previous primary outcome measure:
Handgrip muscle strength will be measured using a hand dynamometer at baseline, after intervention and follow-up
Secondary outcome measuresCurrent secondary outcome measures as of 16/06/2021:
1. Handgrip muscle strength measured using a hand dynamometer at baseline, 1 day after training completion, and 12 weeks after training completion
2. Fitness measured using five-repetition sit-to-stand test and 10-meter walking test at baseline, 1 day after training completion, and 12 weeks after training completion
3. Levels of serum albumin and hemoglobin measured by blood test at baseline, 1 day after training completion, and 12 weeks after training completion

Previous secondary outcome measures:
1. Fitness measured using timed-up-and-go test, five-repetition sit-to-stand, 10-meter walking test at baseline, after intervention and follow-up.
2. Clinical parameters (C-reactive protein, Hemoglobin, Serum albumin, Serum creatinine, Serum creatinine and Glucose) will be measured by blood test at pre and post-intervention.
Overall study start date29/09/2020
Completion date31/12/2023

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Other
Age groupSenior
SexBoth
Target number of participants114
Key inclusion criteria1. Participants aged 65 years or above attending the Health Service Centers in General Hospital of the Yangtze River Shipping, Wuhan
2. Men and women with muscle strength less than 26kg and 18kg, respectively
Key exclusion criteria1. Severe heart problem
2. Neuro-degenerative diseases
3. Vestibular disorders
4. Cognitive impairment
5. Severe osteoporosis
6. Visual impairment
7. Mental diseases
Date of first enrolment06/09/2021
Date of final enrolment01/03/2022

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • China

Study participating centre

General Hospital of the Yangtze River Shipping
1 Huiji Road
Jiangan District
Wuhan
430010
China

Sponsor information

Wuhan Polytechnic University
University/education

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
College of Health Science & Nursing
Wuhan
430048
China

Phone +86 83956726
Email kjtysq@hubei.gov.cn
Website http://www.whpu.edu.cn/EN/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/05w0e5j23

Funders

Funder type

Government

Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (Project #2019CFB349)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2024
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planThe current data sharing plans for this study are unknown and will be available at a later date.

Editorial Notes

17/06/2021: Internal review.
16/06/2021: The primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measures have been updated.
03/06/2021: The recruitment start date has been changed from 01/03/2021 to 06/09/2021.
25/03/2021: Due to current public health guidance, recruitment for this study has been paused and The following changes have been made:
1. The interventions have been updated.
2. The plain English summary has been updated to reflect the changes above.
06/11/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by Yangtze river shipping general hospital, Wuhan brain hospital, Ethical review board.