Ultrasound-based test for myofascial low back pain
Official title: Development and Validation of a Multimodal Ultrasound- Based Biomarker for Myofascial Pain
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11369496 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a combined ultrasound test to find myofascial sources of chronic low back pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,528,391 |
| NIH project number | 4R33AT012282-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369496 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic low back pain who suspect muscle or fascia-related pain (for example with trigger points) and who can attend study visits are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People whose pain is clearly caused by other structural spine conditions (like fractures, tumors, or severe nerve compression) or who cannot undergo ultrasound testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
You would have detailed ultrasound exams that combine standard imaging, shear wave elastography, and dynamic imaging of fascia movement during bending. The team will compare those ultrasound results with your symptoms and physical exam to spot patterns tied to myofascial pain. They will use those patterns to build and validate a measurable ultrasound signature (a biomarker) for muscle- or fascia-related pain. If confirmed, that biomarker could help doctors and researchers target treatments more precisely.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors identify when muscle or fascial problems are causing chronic low back pain and guide more targeted treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier ultrasound techniques such as elastography and dynamic fascia imaging have shown promising abnormalities, but integrating them into a validated multimodal biomarker is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wasan, Ajay D — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Wasan, Ajay D
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.