Correlation of Thoracolumbar Fascia Mechanical Properties and Compensate Mechanisms of Asymmetric Skeletal Muscle

Study of School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy College of Medicine in Taiwan

The objective of three-year research is to investigate the relationship between thoracolumbar fascia tissue characteristics, lumbopelvic asymmetry, core muscle contractility, proprioception and standing balance in different ages of asymptomatic participants and patients with CMLBP.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Low Back Pain

Detailed Description

Background: Chronic myofascial low back pain (CMLBP) is a common musculoskeletal disease. Deep fascia is the structures which insufficient in the theory of spinal stability, the major biomechanical role of the thoracolumbar fascia are segmental control and stability of the spine and sacroiliac joint, its biomechanical role is influenced by its mechanical properties of the fascia. Fascia provide the function of sensation and coordination, it is helpful for discussion the compensatory mechanisms for patients with chronic low back pain, and contribution to the development of appropriate therapeutic strategies or combined treatments in innovative applications. However due to the lack of understanding of myofascia, there are difficulties in diagnosis and treatments. It is necessary to establish methods of assessing fascia and complete series of study for understanding fascia and its attaching muscles.

Objective: The objective of three-year research is to investigate the relationship between thoracolumbar fascia tissue characteristics, lumbopelvic asymmetry, core muscle contractility, proprioception and standing balance in different ages of asymptomatic participants and patients with CMLBP.

Method: 270 subjects are recruited in this study, with ages ranging from 20 to 74 years old. 120 of the subjects are patients with CMLBP and 150 are asymptomatic participants. Instrument in use including real time ultrasound imaging, Zebris 3D motionanalysis system and force plate system. The first year is to establish the reliability of measurement of lumbopelvic asymmetry, mechanical and physical properties of thoracolumbar fascia, and the norm of different age. The second year is to compare the differences among asymptomatic subjects and patients with and without lumbopelvic asymmetry, and investigate whether lumbopelvic symmetry, core muscle contractility, proprioception and standing balance change after manipulating thoracolumbar fascia tissue by physical therapy. The third year is to investigate the treatment effect on chronic myofascial back pain patient after 8 weeks exercise training with the aid of physical agent.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 270

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Test2
    • Taipei, Test2, Taiwan, test3
      • Recruiting
      • National Taiwan University Hospital
      • Contact: Shwu-Fen Wang; Phone Number: 886-33668139; Email: sfwang@ntu.edu.tw

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

community sample

Description

Inclusion criteria:

• Asymptomatic subjects
• Age between 20-74 years old
• In the past three months did not feel uncomfortable more than one day on waist region, and did not relapsed more than once within three months

Subjects with chronic low back pain

• Age between 20-74 years old
• In the past three months felt uncomfortable more than one day on waist region, and relapsed more than once within three months
• Visual pain scores (VAS ≧ 3)

Exclusion criteria:

1. Can not communicate clearly with people
2. Any open wounds
3. Any history of cancer or malignancy
4. The bleeding disorders
5. Pregnancy

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Control
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
control; establish the reliability of measurement of lumbopelvic asymmetry, mechanical and physical properties of thoracolumbar fascia, and the norm of different age
low back pain; compare the differences among asymptomatic subjects and patients with and without lumbopelvic asymmetry, and investigate whether lumbopelvic symmetry, core muscle contractility, proprioception and standing balance change after manipulating thoracolumbar fascia tissue by physical therapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Tissue characteristics of thoracolumbar	30 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Contraction ability of core muscles	using ultrasound image to measure the thickness change of core muscles	30 minutes
The re-position range of motion of lumbar spine		30 minutes
Scale of standing balance		30 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Shwu-Fen Wang, NTUH

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): July 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Anticipated): July 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 26, 2015
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 28, 2015
• First Posted (Estimate): June 2, 2015

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 30, 2015
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 29, 2015
• Last Verified: December 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Low back pain; Mechanical properties; Thoracolumbar fascia
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Back Pain; Low Back Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: 201412156RINA