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QUANTIFY: Quantitative Understanding of Advanced Novel Techniques for Imaging Fasciitis and Yielding Biomarkers
Sponsor: Ruth Chimenti
Summary
This study is to create a test that can accurately find and measure the problem areas in muscle and fascia tissue, also known as myofascial pain. The hypothesis is that a combination of imaging findings will be able to detect when myofascial pain is present. The goal is to improve management of myofascial pain by making better tools to find changes in the muscle and fascia tissues for a more personalized treatment. This project was funded by the HEAL initiative (https://heal.nih.gov/).
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2025-05-22
Completion Date
2026-08
Last Updated
2025-10-07
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Clinical exam
An experienced physical therapist with expertise in dry needling will confirm study eligibility and complete a standard clinical exam for myofascial pain. Gold standard for diagnosing myofascial pain as defined by Travell and Simons will be used. The criteria for muscle trigger point (TrP) include: 1) a taut band of skeletal muscle that is tender to palpation, 2) sustained compression of the taut band reproduces or exacerbates the participant's symptoms. Healthy tissue is defined as no palpable taut band.
Ultrasound imaging
Shear wave elastography and b-mode ultrasound imaging techniques will capture the biomechanical and structural profile of foot and ankle muscle on the involved side.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
T1rho and IDEAL sequences will be used to capture the biochemical and structural profile of foot and ankle muscles on the involved side
Locations (1)
University of Iowa Health Care
Iowa City, Iowa, United States