Side effects of whole-body electro-myo-stimulation

Whole-body-electro-myo-stimulation (WB-EMS) has been introduced as an alternative to physical training. The aim of the review is to summarize the data about indications and side effects of WB-EMS.Aliterature search in PubMed disclosed 11randomized trials, 3cohort studies, and 7case reports. From healthy volunteers, enormous creatine kinase (CK) elevations were reported. There is alack of data about biological consequences of WB-EMS on other organs. In randomized trials, CK levels were not investigated, but several patients discontinued WB-EMS because of muscular discomfort. Contraindications for WB-EMS are not clearly defined. Nine cases of rhabdomyolysis after WB-EMS were found, preferentially after the first application.Regulatory authorities should increase the safety of WB-EMS. Patients with ahistory of rhabdomyolysis should not undergo WB-EMS and those experiencing rhabdomyolysis should be neurologically investigated. Since the value of WB-EMS as an alternative to physical exercise is uncertain, we need to proof or disproof its benefit.