Ultrasound Imaging for Myofascial Pain - Chronic Low Back Pain

STUDY BASICS

Do you experience chronic low back pain? Are you 20-49 years old? You may be able to participate in a research study to help understand and diagnose low back pain using ultrasound imaging. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

This study is to help understand and diagnose low back pain using ultrasound imaging. We will also use advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze the ultrasound exam. The goal of this study is to develop a practical method to identify pain due to low back muscles. 

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Eligible participants: 

• Are ages 20-49 years old 
• Have experienced chronic low back pain on a daily basis for at least 3 months

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

To participate in this study, there are 2 in-person visits. In Visit 1, there will be a clinical exam to determine which of the chronic low back pain (cLBP) groups you fall. Distributed in Visit 1 and 2, you will participate in 3 ultrasound imaging experiments. Most of the procedures are similar to clinical ultrasound exams. The first ultrasound imaging experiment is to image the 3D anatomy of the fascia/muscle area. The second ultrasound experiment is to image the deformation on your lower back. The third ultrasound imaging experiment is a shearwave elastography (SWE). A vibrating device will be used on your back to produce a shear wave that travels around to the low back area. The trials in each experiment will be repeated several times. The total scan time will take about 2 hours.