Imaging and electrical tests to find markers of myofascial pain
Development and identification of magnetic resonance, electrophysiological, and fiber-optic imaging biomarkers of myofascial pain
This project will create imaging and electrical tests to detect and track myofascial (muscle and trigger-point) pain in people who have it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11361907 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to have advanced MRI scans, electrical recordings (electromyography), and fiber-optic imaging, and some participants may provide muscle biopsies or lab tests to look for objective markers of myofascial pain. The team will develop and combine these different measurements to identify candidate biomarkers that mark painful trigger points and regional myofascial changes. After identifying promising biomarkers, they will test whether those markers change with treatment and predict who gets better in a randomized clinical trial. The overall approach is meant to make diagnosis and treatment tracking less subjective and more measurable for patients with muscle-related pain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with clinically diagnosed myofascial pain or painful trigger points who are willing to undergo imaging, electrical testing, and possibly a biopsy.
Not a fit: People without muscle or trigger-point pain, or those unwilling or unable to undergo imaging or biopsy procedures, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give doctors objective tests to diagnose myofascial pain and track whether treatments are working.
How similar studies have performed: This approach is relatively novel: small studies have used EMG or imaging for related questions, but there are currently no widely accepted objective biomarkers for myofascial pain.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Song — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Hu, Song
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 below.