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

• Conditions: Low Back Pain

• Registration Number: NCT02459366
• Lead Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital

Brief Summary

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.

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 Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-05
• Study First Submitted: 2015-05-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-05-28
• Study First Posted: 2015-06-02
• Status Verified: 2015-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-12-29
• Last Update Posted: 2015-12-30
• Primary Completion: 2018-07
• Study Completion: 2018-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 270

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Tissue characteristics of thoracolumbar	30 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

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

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital; 🇨🇳 Taipei, Test2, Taiwan