Connective Tissue, Musculoskeletal Pain
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to develop a measure - the needle torque test - capable of detecting connective tissue abnormalities associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
Detailed description
Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a source of considerable disability, work absenteeism and health care costs. A major obstacle to the treatment of these conditions is the lack of methods to objectively assess connective tissues and measure the effect of treatments. Needle torque test technology under development in this project will potentially enable objective measurement of connective tissue abnormalities associated with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. This could help evaluate the efficacy of various treatments and enhance the objective monitoring of patient progress in clinical practice.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Stromatec, Inc.
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
for chronic low back pain subjects: * back pain that has disrupted activity for more than half the days in the past 12 months. Inclusion Criteria for restricted hamstring subjects: * 90/90 test of more than 20 degrees Inclusion Criteria for systemic scleroderma subjects: * physician diagnosis Inclusion criteria for joint hyperlaxity subjects: * Beighton test score of 7 or higher
Exclusion criteria
for all subjects: * surgery or scars in thighs or low back * neurological or major psychiatric disorder * bleeding disorders * acute systemic infection * pregnancy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Number of needle revolutions to achieve threshold torque | Time zero, 30 minutes and one week |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed