Ultrasound Imaging for Myofascial Pain

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH · Jun 29, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to understand and diagnose a type of back pain called myofascial pain, which is often linked to muscle and soft tissue issues in the lower back. Researchers want to see if they can use ultrasound imaging and advanced computer techniques, known as machine learning, to create a reliable test that helps identify different types of myofascial pain and measure how severe it is. They will compare people with chronic low back pain to healthy individuals to see how well this new test works.

To be eligible for the study, participants in the healthy group should be between 20 and 70 years old and have no history of chronic back pain or related conditions. Those with chronic low back pain should also be in the same age range, have experienced pain for at least three months, and have a certain level of pain severity. Participants will be asked to fill out questionnaires, undergo some physical exams, and take part in ultrasound imaging sessions. This study is currently recruiting participants and aims to improve the understanding of back pain, which could lead to better treatments in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Normals (n=40):
• • No history of chronic low back pain, myofascial pain of the neck or shoulders, or fibromyalgia.
• • Ages 20-70 to be age appropriate to the cLBP subjects. The investigators will recruit 10 subjects per age decile (10 subjects ages 30-39 yrs., etc.).
• • Any clinically unstable systemic illness that is judged to interfere
• • with the trial
• • Non-ambulatory status
• • Not able to complete the questionnaires.
• Inclusion Criteria CLBP:
• • Age range 20-70 so that the age distribution is likely to roughly match the healthy normals
• • Predominantly axial cLBP meeting the NIH definition of cLBP (at least 3 months on a daily basis) with a MP component (determined by a standardized clinical exam)
• • Average pain score of \> 3/10, with low back pain being the primary pain site
• • cLBP meeting Quebec Task Force Classification System categories I-III (from axial pain only to pain radiating beyond the knee without neurological signs).
• Exclusion Criteria CLBP:
• • Back surgery within the past year
• • Active worker's compensation or litigation claims since these patients are more likely to have exaggerated pain behavior
• • New pain treatments within 2 weeks of enrollment
• • Any clinically unstable systemic illness that is judged to interfere with the trial
• • Non-ambulatory status
• • Not able to complete the questionnaires.