Muscle Deterioration in Hospitalized Cancer Patient (MUSONC)

Assessment of Muscle Deterioration in Hospitalized Cancer Patients Using Surface Electromyography, Dynamometry, and Bioimpedance

Cancer cachexia and skeletal muscle deterioration represent significant challenges in oncology, affecting up to 42% of cancer patients and correlating with poor clinical outcomes, increased treatment toxicity, and reduced overall survival. Early identification of patients at risk through comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment is essential for timely therapeutic intervention.

This paper presents a detailed protocol for the longitudinal evaluation of skeletal muscle deterioration in hospitalized cancer patients using an integrated, multimodal approach. The protocol combines validated questionnaires (SARC-F, MSAS, EORTC QLQ-C30, and PSQI), functional measurements (handgrip strength), body composition analysis (bioelectrical impedance analysis), neuromuscular assessment (surface electromyography), and serum biomarkers (basic panel approach).

The study aims to recruit 45-50 patients with confirmed malignancy requiring hospitalization for ≥4 days, with daily functional measurements and biomarker evaluations at admission and discharge. The protocol prioritizes methodological rigor in vulnerable populations, incorporates standardized procedures for real-world clinical settings, and emphasizes quality control measures.

Expected outcomes include the identification of longitudinal patterns of muscle deterioration, validation of serum biomarker signatures for cachexia detection, and characterization of neuromuscular fatigue patterns using surface electromyography. This comprehensive framework addresses current gaps in skeletal muscle assessment during acute hospitalization and provides a foundation for future interventional studies. The protocol adheres to international ethical standards and considerations for research in vulnerable populations.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Oncologic Diseases
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: Screenig Phase

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Inés Dr. Llamas-Ramos; Phone Number: +34630720990; Email: inesllamas@usal.es

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: more than 18 years
• Confirmed malignant neoplasm diagnosis
• Hospitalization anticipated for at least 4 days
• Capacity to provide informed consent and complete questionnaires
• ECOG performance status 0-3
• Ability to perform voluntary contractions of upper and lower extremities

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical contraindications to strength testing (recent fractures, acute injuries) - Severe neurological impairment precluding functional assessment
• Implanted electronic devices (relative contraindication for bioimpedance)
• Severe cognitive impairment preventing questionnaire completion
• Extensive skin lesions preventing electrode placement for sEMG

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Screening
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: EMG; EMG screening

Diagnostic test: Screenig Phase; EMG Parameters Analyzed: Amplitude: Root mean square (RMS) during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and during sustained contraction, normalized to %MVC.; Frequency: Median frequency (MDF) and mean frequency (MNF) calculated using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) with 0.5-1 s sliding windows. Fatigue Indices; Rate of MDF decline (Hz/s) during sustained contraction.; Ratio of RMS at the end versus the beginning of the sustained contraction.; Time to task failure (s) during sustained effort. Quality Control: Quality control included real-time visual inspection of signals for movement artifacts, verification of baseline stability (resting activity <10-20 µV RMS), and complete post-acquisition review with exclusion of segments containing >20% artifact contamination.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
SARC-F Sarcopenia Screening Tool	The SARC-F questionnaire (Strength, Assistance with walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, and Falls) will be administered to all participants at baseline and at discharge. This five-item instrument evaluates functional limitations, with total scores ranging from 0 to 10; scores ≥4 indicate an increased risk of sarcopenia. The SARC-F demonstrates a sensitivity of 71-89% and a specificity of 84-91% for sarcopenia detection across diverse populations.	Baseline and up to 10 days
Symptoms prevalence. Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)	The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) will be administered using the validated Spanish version by Llamas-Ramos et al. The 24-item short form (MSAS-SF) assesses symptom frequency, severity, and associated distress across three core dimensions: the Global Distress Index, the Physical Symptom Subscale, and the Psychological Symptom Subscale. The instrument has demonstrated excellent psychometric properties in Spanish-speaking cancer populations (Cronbach's α > 0.80) and superior sensitivity to symptom changes compared with single-item scales.	Baseline and and up to 10 days
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30)	The EORTC QLQ-C30 is the gold-standard instrument for assessing quality of life in cancer patients. This 30-item questionnaire evaluates five functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning), global health status/quality of life, symptom scales (fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhea), and financial difficulties. Scores are linearly transformed to 0-100 scales, with higher scores indicating better functioning on functional scales and greater symptom burden on symptom scales. The EORTC QLQ-C30 has demonstrated prognostic validity for survival outcomes across multiple cancer types.	Baseline and and up to 10 days
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)	The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) evaluates sleep quality over the preceding month using 19 self-reported items, yielding seven component scores (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction). The global PSQI score ranges from 0 to 21, with scores >5 indicating poor sleep quality. Among cancer patients, the PSQI demonstrates 89.6% sensitivity and adequate psychometric properties for detecting sleep disturbances.	Baseline and up to 10 days
Bioimpedance Electrical Analysis	Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) will be performed using InBody equipment (bipedal configuration, 50 kHz impedance measurement). Standardized protocols will include: (1) 4-6 h of fasting, when feasible; (2) micturition 30 min prior to assessment; (3) a 15-min supine rest period to allow for fluid redistribution; and (4) documentation of hydration status using a structured clinical scale.	Baseline and and up to 10 days
Handgrip Strength Assessment	Handgrip strength will be measured daily using a calibrated digital dynamometer (EH101, China), following the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) protocol. Prior to study initiation, the dynamometer underwent precision testing using calibrated weights (error <5%) and reliability assessment in 12 healthy volunteers (ICC = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.96).	Baseline and through study completion, an average of 10 days
Surface Electromyography Assessment	Surface electromyography (sEMG) will be acquired using the mDurance system (Shimmer3 wireless hardware), with a sampling rate of 1000 Hz, band-pass filtering from 10 to 500 Hz, and a 50 Hz notch filter to eliminate power-line interference. Electrode Preparation and Placement Skin will be prepared by shaving with disposable razors, gentle abrasion with fine-grit sandpaper, and cleansing with 70% alcohol, followed by complete air-drying. Disposable Ag/AgCl electrodes (20 mm interelectrode distance, in accordance with SENIAM recommendations) will be placed using precise anatomical landmarks on the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and upper trapezius muscles.	Baseline and through study completion, an average of 10 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Blood sample collection	Blood samples will be collected during routine morning laboratory draws at admission and discharge, with additional volumes (10-15 mL) obtained for research purposes. Serum will be separated via centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes and stored at -80°C until batch analysis. All analytical procedures will be performed in accordance with standard hospital clinical laboratory protocols.	Baseline and up to 10 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Salamanca

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 19, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 29, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 18, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: sarcopenia; cancer cachexia; hospitalized patients; protocol; surface electromyography; bioimpedance analysis; muscle deterioration
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Muscular Atrophy; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Sarcopenia
• Other Study ID Numbers: ONCO2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No