CompletedNot Applicable

Effects of a Myofascial Technique on Biomechanical Properties of the Lumbar Myofascia of Chronic Low Back Pain Adults

Canada49 participantsStarted 2021-03-19

Plain-language summary

Non-specific low back pain is a worldwide health issue that remains poorly understood. Some authors have shown that the thoracolumbar fascia of low back pain adults presents changes in biomechanical properties. As it is richly endowed with pain receptors, the thoracolumbar fascia could therefore be a key contributor to this chronic pain condition. Myofascial techniques (MFTs) are commonly used in manual therapy by practitioners of various backgrounds to address fascia biomechanical properties, but there is a paucity of objective evidence on their effects on tissue state. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography, sonoelastography and myometry are emerging imaging techniques that can quantify the biomechanical properties of fascia and underlying muscle. These innovative techniques could in turn contribute to a better understanding of MFTs effects on fascial properties. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the immediate effect of a standardized MFT on the elastography features of the lumbar paraspinal muscle and fascia (i.e. myofascial unit). The secondary objectives are to evaluate the immediate effects of a MFT on: i) ultrasonography features of the myofascial unit; ii) myometry features of the myofascial unit; ii) pain intensity.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * adults over 18 years of age, * lumbar pain and/or referred pain above or below the gluteal fold , with intensity \> 3/10, persisting for \> 6 months and presenting during the day \> 50% of the time. Exclusion Criteria: * history of serious spinal or lower extremity injury or surgery in the last year * identifiable back pain or known pathology * known rheumatological condition * oral or injectable corticosteroids in the lumbar spine within the last 3 months * psychiatric disorder * pregnancy * manual treatment of the lumbo-sacral region 1 month prior to the experimentation and during the week of the study

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Changes in elastography features of the myofascial unit

Timeframe: Baseline (before treatment), post-treatment (immediately after treatment)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04830566

SponsorUniversité de Sherbrooke

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2022-07-08

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Chronic Low Back Pain trials