Quantitative Ultrasound Biomarkers to Assess Upper Trapezius Muscles in Patients With Chronic Pain

NCT ID: NCT05497622

Last Updated: 2022-08-25

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

108 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-08-24

Study Completion Date

2024-03-31

Brief Summary

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The goal of this study is to identify and develop multiparametric quantitative ultrasound imaging (QUI) biomarkers for assessing upper trapezius muscle with and without chronic neck pain and their response to treatment. This goal will be achieved by testing the underlying hypothesis that abnormal muscle tissue can be identified based on its physio-mechanical properties, and that changes in these properties can be used to guide and monitor treatment progress. Preliminary results have shown that biomarkers including muscle B-mode ultrasound echo-intensity, shear wave velocity, and longitudinal strain ratios associated with muscle tissue structure, mechanics, and function significantly differ between muscles in low back pain and neuromuscular disorders and normal muscles. This study will determine which biomarkers are best suited to differentiate abnormal muscle in chronic neck pain from healthy muscles and develop a quantitative objective program for chronic neck pain management.

Detailed Description

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The main objective will be achieved through two aims:

Aim 1: Identify and develop quantitative biomarkers to distinguish structure, mechanics, function, and blood flow in abnormal muscles associated with chronic neck pain from normal muscles, correlated with clinical osteopathic assessments.

To determine the diagnostic performances of echo-intensity as a muscle structural biomarker, shear wave velocity and longitudinal strain ratio as muscle mechanics/function biomarkers, and color Doppler microvascular index as a muscle blood flow biomarker will be evaluated. These assessments will be evaluated in healthy subjects to test these quantitative biomarkers on upper trapezius muscle in the neck region to establish normal control values. To determine the clinical utility of these novel biomarkers, subjects with chronic neck pain will receive clinical osteopathic assessments over the neck region using conventional osteopathic examination with qualitative disease scoring by clinicians and subjective pain scales by subjects. The above quantitative biomarkers and qualitative osteopathic assessments of corresponding tissues with and without chronic neck pain will be analyzed using advanced ultrasound processing methods and statistical analyses.

Aim 2: Evaluate the abilities of quantitative biomarkers developed in Aim 1 to assess the responses of muscle tissue structure, mechanics, function, and blood flow to osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for chronic neck pain.

To determine the prognostic performance of the QUI biomarkers developed in Aim 1 in predicting clinical response to OMT treatment, it will demonstrate that abnormal muscle tissue physio-mechanical properties to be directly linked to the pain of the patients. This trial will determine if improvement in abnormal biomarker values leads to improvement in subject's pain and osteopathic assessments. Subjects with chronic neck pain will be examined at intervals with biomarker measurements and osteopathic assessments. Image processing and statistical analysis will be used to determine the performance of the biomarkers in predicting response to treatment. the approach used in this study is supported by preliminary studies, which show how ultrasound biomarkers change following OMT, returning toward more normal muscle tissue mechanics.

This clinical trial will validate at least one clinically useful prognostic biomarker for chronic neck pain management, lay the foundation for further clinical research and treatment based on quantitative, reproducible, well-established methods, and lead to a large grant application.

Conditions

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Chronic Neck Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Two groups will be used in the study to evaluate Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging (QUI) biomarkers and TART assessments.

1. Healthy participants. Non-invasive quantitative ultrasound (B-mode image, ultrasound elastography), EMG, and osteopathic assessment (TART assessments) will be performed on the upper trapezius muscle in healthy controls one time at the time of the enrollment.
2. Patients with chromic neck pain. Non-invasive quantitative ultrasound (B-mode ultrasound, ultrasound elastography), EMG, osteopathic assessment, and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) of the upper trapezius muscle will be performed on participants with chronic neck pain 3 times. All ultrasound, EMG biomarkers and TART assessments will be collected before and after OMT.
Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Healthy participants

Non-invasive quantitative ultrasound (B-mode image, ultrasound elastography), EMG, and osteopathic assessment (TART assessments) will be performed on the upper trapezius muscle in healthy participants one time at the time of the enrollment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Quantitative Ultrasound

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Ultrasound assessment of Trapezius muscle

Osteopathic TART Assessment

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Evaluation of the 4 diagnostic criteria:

1. Tissue Texture abnormality
2. Asymmetry
3. Restriction of Motion
4. Tenderness

Patients with chronic neck pain

Non-invasive quantitative ultrasound (B-mode ultrasound, ultrasound elastography), EMG, osteopathic assessment, and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) of the upper trapezius muscle will be performed on participants with chronic neck pain 3 times. All ultrasound, EMG biomarkers and TART assessments will be collected before and after OMT.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Quantitative Ultrasound

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Ultrasound assessment of Trapezius muscle

Osteopathic TART Assessment

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Evaluation of the 4 diagnostic criteria:

1. Tissue Texture abnormality
2. Asymmetry
3. Restriction of Motion
4. Tenderness

Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Use of manual techniques such as soft tissue stretching, resisted isometric stretches, fascial relaxation and counter strain.

Interventions

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Quantitative Ultrasound

Ultrasound assessment of Trapezius muscle

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Osteopathic TART Assessment

Evaluation of the 4 diagnostic criteria:

1. Tissue Texture abnormality
2. Asymmetry
3. Restriction of Motion
4. Tenderness

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment

Use of manual techniques such as soft tissue stretching, resisted isometric stretches, fascial relaxation and counter strain.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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QUI TART OMT

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18 years and older;
* Healthy. No history of musculoskeletal conditions, such as severe pain, trauma, joint or spine surgery;
* Able to sign written informed consent,
* Tolerant to the osteopathic exam, and ultrasound.


* Age 18 years and older
* Having chronic neck pain persisting longer than 12 weeks, meeting TART criteria, diagnosed by an osteopathic physician;
* Able to sign written informed consent;
* Tolerant to the osteopathic exam, ultrasound, and OMT.

Exclusion Criteria

* Under 18 years of age;
* Having a medical history of musculoskeletal conditions, joint and/or spine surgery, trauma;
* Employee of the study investigators;
* Being unable to competently consent or assent to participation (e.g., mentally disabled, demented, delusional, or a prisoner);
* Not tolerant to the osteopathic exam, ultrasound.


* Age \< 18 years,
* Unable or unqualified to sign an informed consent,
* Unstable and/or late stage diseases,
* Not tolerant to the osteopathic exam, ultrasound, OMT.

There is no specific racial/ethnic background limitation in this study.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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American Osteopathic Association

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Rocky Vista University, LLC

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Jing Gao, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Rocky Vista University

Locations

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Ultrasound Research Laboratory

Ivins, Utah, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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IRB #2022--095

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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