Project Details
Description
PROJECT SUMMARY/ ABSTRACT
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common public health problem. Knowledge of MPS injury mechanisms and
treatment of this condition is currently limited by a lack of objective assessment tools. Efforts to better understand
the origin and pathology of MPS have increasingly focused on impairments involving myofascial connective tissue
and the function of fascial interfaces. Studies using ultrasound imaging technology to evaluate the function at sliding
myofascial interfaces have provided insights into the underlying mechanisms of the syndrome. Researchers
suggest that alterations in the viscoelastic properties of fascial structures may contribute to the MPS etiology. This
may be perceived by patients as an increase in fascial stiffness and pain with restricted motion. However, major
knowledge gaps remain in the understanding of myofascial biomechanics and how changes in these structures
contribute to myofascial pain. Development of technology capable of providing biomarkers that quantitatively
characterize the viscoelastic properties of myofascial tissue and the state of adhesion at interfaces would address
these gaps and contribute to the assessment of therapeutic modalities. Currently, a noninvasive tool for quantifying
fascia mechanical properties is very limited. Our goals are to (1) develop an MRE-based imaging technique for
quantifying the mechanical properties of myofascial tissue and (2) establish new quantitative biomarkers for
assessing impaired myofascial tissue and treatment efficacy. In Aim 1 (R61 phase), we will build an MRE-based
framework to integrate multiple driving systems inducing desired shear motion in the lower back, upper and lower
legs, respectively; an advanced pulse sequence to measure the corresponding full-volume dynamic 4D muscle
displacement fields; and a post-processing approach to assess resultant mechanical parameters of the myofascial
interface in those regions in vivo. This will create a foundation to characterize the myofascial interface mobility,
stiffness, viscosity, and loading sensitivity. In Aim 2 (R61 phase), we will evaluate the repeatability and
reproducibility of the MRE-assessed fascia mechanical properties in healthy volunteers using a test-retest strategy.
A pilot clinical study will also be performed to evaluate and compare MRE-assessed fascia mechanical properties in
age-/sex-matched normal and patients with conditions in the MPS spectrum. The transition milestone we are
looking for is imaging biomarker(s) that demonstrate a statistically significant (p < 0.05) group difference. In Aim 3
(R33 phase), we will assess the abilities of the quantitative biomarker(s) developed in the R61 phase to monitor
treatment responses to a physical force-based manipulation treatment (Tuina) and predict outcomes in a
longitudinal study. Taken together, these aims will provide innovative methods and unique datasets for studying
myofascial biomechanics, novel imaging biomarkers to distinguish healthy versus abnormal myofascial tissue and
interfaces, and new imaging biomarkers to aid clinicians in developing effective approaches to myofascial pain, and
helping to address one of the most important conditions that has led to overuse of opioid analgesics.
Status | Active |
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Effective start/end date | 9/19/22 → 8/31/25 |
Funding
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: $1,966,229.00
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