J Appl Physiol] 2003 Jun; 94 (6), pp. 2107-12.

 There is considerable evidence to suggest that electrical stimulation (ES) activates glucose uptake in rodent skeletal muscle. It is, however, unknown whether ES can lead to similar metabolic enhancement in humans. We employed low-frequency ES through surface electrodes placed over motor points of quadriceps femoris muscles. In male subjects lying in the supine position, the highest oxygen uptake was obtained by a stimulation pattern with 0.2-ms biphasic square pulses at 20 Hz and a 1-s on-off duty cycle. Oxygen uptake was increased by approximately twofold throughout the 20-min stimulation period and returned to baseline immediately after stimulation. Concurrent elevation of the respiratory exchange ratio and blood lactate concentration indicated anaerobic glycogen breakdown and utilization during ES. Whole body glucose uptake determined by the glucose disposal rate during euglycemic clamp was acutely increased by 2.5 mg. kg(-1). min(-1) in response to ES and, moreover, remained elevated by 3-4 mg. kg(-1). min(-1) for at least 90 min after cessation of stimulation. Thus the stimulatory effect of ES on whole body glucose uptake persisted not only during, but also after, stimulation. Low-frequency ES may become a useful therapeutic approach to activate energy and glucose metabolism in humans

Answer regarding the article from Terence Partridge,
Muscle Cell Biology Group,
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre,
ICSM, Hammersmith Hospital Site,

Dear Arnold,
Electrical stimulation has been proposed for DMD for a number of reasons. Slow stimulation patterns – 10Hz – is supposed to convert muscle to the ‘slow’ type which is said to be less susceptible to necrosis than fast muscle (though the evidence for the latter point is rather dicey) has been proposed but I do not know if it has been tested in DMD boys.  In the genethon, one of the people I am working with believes that denervated segments of muscle fibre in DMD muscle causes the fibres to convert directly to fat.  He has some evidence that this may be so. It does not yet overcome my scepticism but we have discussed it and there are ways in which he could test it more stringently. His point is that electrical stimulation might prevent or even reverse the conversion.
My overall feeling is that any non-traumatic way of keeping muscle in physical shape would probably be good – moreover, it would be possible to assess this benefit if there is any by non-invasive methods.
Terry