QUANTIFY: Quantitative Understanding of Advanced Novel Techniques for Imaging Fasciitis and Yielding Biomarkers

Summary

This study is to create a test that can accurately find and measure the problem areas in muscle and fascia tissue, also known as myofascial pain. The hypothesis is that a combination of imaging findings will be able to detect when myofascial pain is present. The goal is to improve management of myofascial pain by making better tools to find changes in the muscle and fascia tissues for a more personalized treatment. This project was funded by the HEAL initiative (https://heal.nih.gov/).

Conditions

• Plantar Fasciopathy
• Achilles Tendinopathy
• Controls

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Clinical exam

An experienced physical therapist with expertise in dry needling will confirm study eligibility and complete a standard clinical exam for myofascial pain. Gold standard for diagnosing myofascial pain as defined by Travell and Simons will be used. The criteria for muscle trigger point (TrP) include: 1) a taut band of skeletal muscle that is tender to palpation, 2) sustained compression of the taut band reproduces or exacerbates the participant's symptoms. Healthy tissue is defined as no palpable taut band.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Ultrasound imaging

Shear wave elastography and b-mode ultrasound imaging techniques will capture the biomechanical and structural profile of foot and ankle muscle on the involved side.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

T1rho and IDEAL sequences will be used to capture the biochemical and structural profile of foot and ankle muscles on the involved side

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  collaborator NIH

• Rochester Institute of Technology

  collaborator OTHER

• Ruth Chimenti

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kathleen Sluka, PT, PhD · University of Iowa

• James Holmes, PhD · University of Iowa

• Ruth L Chimenti, PT, PhD · University of Iowa

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-22

Primary Completion

2026-07-31

Completion

2026-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations