Multi-modal Imaging of Myofascial Pain

Launched by WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · Sep 6, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding myofascial pain, which is a type of pain that occurs in the muscles and can affect areas like the neck and shoulders. The researchers aim to develop new imaging techniques that can help assess this pain more accurately. They are currently looking for participants, including healthy volunteers and individuals who experience myofascial pain. Healthy volunteers should be between 18 and 80 years old, without a history of chronic pain in the neck or shoulder areas. On the other hand, people suffering from neck or shoulder pain that has lasted more than four weeks and is causing significant discomfort may also join.

If you decide to participate, you can expect to undergo imaging tests that help researchers learn more about your condition. The trial will not involve any treatments but will focus on gathering important information about pain and its sources. It's important to note that some individuals may not be eligible due to certain health conditions, previous injuries, or if they are pregnant. Overall, this study aims to improve the way myofascial pain is understood and treated in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Healthy Volunteer Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Absence of a history of chronic pain in the targeted anatomical location (i.e., neck and shoulder) that had limited activities of daily living or work
• • 2. A numerical current pain index of lower than 0.5 according to initial assessment with visual analog scale
• • 3. Able to understand the goal of the project and give informed consent.
• Healthy Volunteer Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• • 2. Contraindication to MRI
• • 3. Previous severe/acute neck or shoulder injury
• • 4. Previous neck or shoulder surgery
• • 5. Neck or shoulder deformities
• • 6. Inability to provide consent.
• Myofascial Pain Patient Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Between the ages of 18 and 80 years old
• • 2. Neck and/or shoulder pain, unilateral or bilateral
• • 3. Duration of symptoms for longer than 4 weeks
• • 4. Pain scale at the active state higher than 4 according to initial assessment with visual analog scale
• • 5. Presence of active trigger point(s) according to palpation and/or presence of taut band
• Myofascial Pain Patient Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Recent history of trauma to the neck (e.g., whiplash)
• • 2. Acute cervical radiculopathy
• • 3. Acute cervical spine pain component or acute cervical spinal pathology Presence of neuromuscular pathologies or inflammatory muscle diseases (e.g., dermatomyositis)
• • 4. Systemic disease with diffuse body pain (e.g., system lupus erythematosus and and thyroid disease)
• • 5. Peripheral neuropathy
• • 6. Cancer-related pain
• • 7. Pregnancy, coagulopathy, fever, general/local infection at the pain site, substance abuse, peripheral neuropathy, or any other diseases that may account for signs and symptoms mimicking myofascial pain
• • 8. Contraindication to MRI.