Development and Identification of Magnetic Resonance, Electrophysiological, and Fiber-optic Imaging Biomarkers of Myofascial Pain
Washington University School of Medicine
Summary
The goal of this study is to evaluate imaging biomarkers for quantitative assessments of myofascial pain and determine their ability to monitor treatment response and predict clinical outcomes.
Description
This Phase 2 randomized clinical trial builds upon findings from Phase 1, which identified candidate imaging biomarkers of myofascial pain. The study will assess whether these biomarkers can monitor responses to local chemical injection treatment and predict clinical outcomes. Participants with neck/shoulder pain and the presence of active myofascial trigger points will be referred from pain management clinics or recruited through the Volunteer for Health office. Eligible participants will undergo multi-modal imaging procedures, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), surface electromyogr…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults between the ages of 18 and 80 years old. 2. History of spontaneous (non-provoked) pain in the neck and/or shoulder region lasting at least 3 months. Neck and/or shoulder pain, unilateral or bilateral. 3. Presence of a palpable myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in one or both upper trapezius muscles. 4. The participant has a Numeric Pain Rating Scale of 4/10 or more in the last one week, and the pain is reproducible by palpating the trigger point. 5. Pain localized to the area of the trigger point that is reproduced or worsened upon palpation. 6. Radiation of pain t…
Interventions
- Drug50/50 Mixture of Lidocaine 1% injection + Bupivacaine 0.25% Injectable Solution
Treatment Group: Receives trigger-point injection with a 50/50 mixture of 1% lidocaine and 0.25% bupivacaine
- ProcedureDry Needling
Single session of dry needling to the identified trigger point(s) per protocol.
Location
- Washington UniversitySt Louis, Missouri