Tuina Treatment for Myofascial Pain

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research is to develop and test new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods that look at how muscles and tissues under the skin (myofascial tissues) move and respond to pressure. We want to see how these tissues differ between healthy people and people with pain or injury, and how they change after hands-on treatment (Tuina therapy). We will also compare these results to a group that receives standard care without Tuina therapy.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

1. Can MR elastography (MRE) show changes in how the fascia and the layers between muscles move and stretch before and after manual therapy?

2. Do changes seen on MRE scans match changes in pain, function, and other symptoms reported by participants?

3. Can MRE measurements before treatment help predict which participants are most likely to improve with manual therapy?

In this randomized controlled trial, participants with myofascial pain will be randomly assigned (randomized) to either the Tuina group or the Usual Care group following a home-based care program without manual therapy. All treatments are noninvasive, hands-on techniques commonly used in clinical practice to reduce tissue tightness and improve movement.

Participants will be asked to undergo three MRI scans and to complete questionnaires and other standard clinical assessments about their pain, physical function, and quality of life.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ziying Yin, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Participants should be willing to undergo MRI scans and complete questionnaires about their pain and physical function. The study excludes those who cannot have MRIs or may not safely receive manual therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

Recognition of current pain complaint by pressure on the tender nodule/taut band

I experience pain when stretching my limbs to their fullest.

I can feel a tight band or lump in my muscle.

Exclusion Criteria

Previous severe back injury (including fracture) or surgery

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Any contraindication to an MRI exam, or severe claustrophobia that would prevent safe completion of the scan

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Tuina treatment
• Usual care

Trial Overview The study tests if Magnetic Resonance Elastography can track changes in muscle movement and response to pressure after Tuina therapy, a hands-on treatment, compared to usual care without this therapy in people with myofascial pain.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Tuina + Usual Care Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will receive Tuina therapy twice weekly for three consecutive weeks (a total of six sessions) in addition to usual care.

Group II: Usual Care Only Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will receive usual care only for three weeks, no additional manual therapy will be provided.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Collaborator

Trials

886

Recruited

677,000+