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Ultrasonographic Assessment of Thoracolumbar Fascia in AxSpA and Controls With Trigger Point Evaluation

NCT06978374 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 132

Last updated 2025-05-18

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate whether changes in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF)-a connective tissue in the lower back-are related to pain and disease severity in patients with axial spondyloarthropathy (ax-SpA), a chronic inflammatory spine condition. The study involves adults diagnosed with ax-SpA and healthy volunteers of similar age and gender.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Is the thickness or shape of the thoracolumbar fascia different in patients with ax-SpA compared to healthy individuals? Is there a relationship between changes in the thoracolumbar fascia and the presence of painful muscle trigger points? Researchers will compare measurements in ax-SpA patients and healthy volunteers to see if differences in fascia structure are linked to pain, function, and disease activity.

Participants will:

Undergo a back ultrasound (non-invasive imaging) to assess the thickness and structure of the thoracolumbar fascia.

Be examined for muscle trigger points using gentle manual palpation. Complete questionnaires and assessments on physical function, quality of life, and disease activity.

Conditions

  • Axial Spondylarthritis (axSpA)
  • Myofascial Trigger Point Pain (MTrP)
  • Ultrasound Exams

Interventions

OTHER

Sonographic examination of thoracolumbar fascia, manual examination of MTrP

Patients were positioned in the prone position, with a cushion placed under the abdomen to flatten the lumbar lordosis. A 14-18 MHz linear transducer was used for ultrasonographic (USG) evaluation, performed with a GE Logiq P5 ultrasound device (Serial No: GE-114118SU3). The USG probe was placed longitudinally at the L2-L3 intervertebral level, 2 cm lateral to the vertical line connecting the spinous processes on both sides, in order to assess the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Ankara University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Sebnem ATAMAN, Study Chair · Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Rheumathology

  • Yuzlem Gyuner SIDZHIMLI, MD · Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

  • Seçilay GÜNEŞ, Ass Prof · Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-11-01
Primary Completion
2024-12-01
Completion
2025-03-30

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06978374 on ClinicalTrials.gov