ELVIS Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Proof of Concept ELectro-Stimulation of muscles to resolve Insulin resistance in NASH
IRAS ID
230042
Contact name
John F Dillon
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Non-Alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now regarded as the most common liver condition in the developed world, affecting up to 30% of the general population.
NAFLD ranges from simple fatty build up in the liver through to Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) which means inflammation and liver cell damage are also present, alongside fat in the liver. NASH may develop into cirrhosis (liver scarring) and ultimately cancer of the liver.
The only known treatment is weight loss and exercise. Many patients cannot or will not achieve this with conventional means. The pathogenic process of the disease is insulin resistance which can be reversed relatively quickly with intense exercise or electrical stimulation of muscle. Most patients cannot achieve or sustain the level of aerobic exercise required; resistance exercise is more sustainable and similarly effective. The aim of this pilot study is to investigate whether electro-muscle stimulation, designed to emulate resistance exercise, resolves NASH in patients and moves them to a less dangerous metabolic steady state which should be easier to maintain.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
18/ES/0001
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion