Imaging Metabolic and Perfusion Changes in Acupuncture Therapy for Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Eligible age
18+ yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
No
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About this study
This study will evaluate the clinical and biological effects of acupuncture for chronic low back pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). In this randomized, participant- and assessor-blinded clinical trial, 64 adults with chronic low back pain due to MPS will be assigned to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture for eight weeks. Participants will undergo total-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (TB-PET/CT) imaging and complete standardized pain and functional questionnaires at baseline and after treatment. The study will evaluate whether acupuncture improves pain and function compared with sham treatment and whether TB-PET/CT imaging can detect changes in myofascial tissue metabolism and perfusion that correspond with clinical outcomes.
Sponsor: University of California, Davis
You may qualify if…
- ✓ Ability to understand the purposes and risks of the trial and willingness to sign an informed consent form
- ✓ Willingness and ability to comply with all protocol required procedures
- ✓ Willingness to be randomized to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture
- ✓ Current self-report of chronic low back pain (cLBP) which has persisted for the past 3 months AND has resulted in pain on \> 50% of days in the past 6 months
- ✓ At least one palpable nodule or taut band in paraspinal, quadratus lumborum, or gluteal muscles
- ✓ Reproduction of the patient's dominant pain with palpation of a muscle nodule or taut band
- ✓ Predominantly paramedian pain (may be uni-lateral or bi-lateral)
- ✓ Willing and able to lay motionless in a supine position at least twice, preferably thrice: 70-minute TB-PET/CT scan
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ No Primary Care Physician
- ✕ History of spine infection (discitis or osteomyelitis) or spine tumor
- ✕ History of ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, or lupus
- ✕ Confounding conditions that are known to be responsible for inducing pain
- ✕ Implants at or in the region of the sites of interest
- ✕ Diagnosis of any vertebral fracture in the last 6 months
- ✕ Cauda equina syndrome or lumbar radiculopathy with functional motor deficit (strength\<4/5 on manual motor testing)
- ✕ Spinal implants (including fixation hardware, spinal cord stimulator, intra-thecal pumps, that are present in the region of the sites of interest)
Where it's recruiting
Sacramento
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT07494162 · last updated 2026-06-17