MRI measurement of connective tissue stiffness and movement in myofascial pain
MRI-based quantitative characterization of impaired myofascial interface properties in myofascial pain syndrome
Using a special MRI technique, researchers will measure connective tissue stiffness and how tissue layers slide in people with myofascial pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11363551 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get a special MRI scan (magnetic resonance elastography) that measures how stiff your fascia and muscle connective tissues are and how well tissue layers slide against each other. The team will develop numeric biomarkers from these scans to describe viscoelastic properties and detect possible adhesions at fascial interfaces. They will link those imaging biomarkers with symptoms and physical findings to better understand how tissue changes relate to pain and restricted motion. The work is carried out at Mayo Clinic Rochester and aims to create a noninvasive tool that could be used in future care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with clinical myofascial pain syndrome or chronic localized muscle/fascial pain who can safely undergo MRI would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People whose pain comes from non-myofascial causes or who cannot have MRI (for example, due to incompatible implants or severe claustrophobia) are unlikely to benefit from this imaging approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a noninvasive biomarker to help diagnose myofascial pain and guide or monitor treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Ultrasound work has offered useful clues about tissue sliding, but using MRI elastography to quantify fascial mechanics is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yin, Ziying — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Yin, Ziying
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.