MRI scans reveal how massage changes back muscles in chronic pain
NCT ID NCT07712458
First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study uses magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), a special MRI technique, to measure stiffness in the lower back muscles of people with chronic low back pain before and after a single session of device-assisted massage therapy. The goal is to see if MRE can detect physical changes in muscle and connective tissue that relate to pain and mobility. The trial enrolls adults with at least three months of back pain and myofascial trigger points.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- device-assisted massage therapy using EMMA (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could identify measurable biomarkers for muscle stiffness changes after manual therapy, potentially guiding more targeted treatments for chronic low back pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (38 participants) focused on measuring changes rather than proving clinical benefit. Results may not generalize to all back pain patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN (CLBP) are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Stronger back muscles may ease chronic pain — a trial puts the idea to the test
- Could moving cupping cups beat stationary ones for back pain?
- Personalized vs. standard back pain rehab: which works better for seniors?
- Zapping a nerve inside the spine bone may ease chronic back pain
- Mind over back pain: brain retraining therapy tested for chronic sufferers
- Teaching the brain about pain may boost exercise benefits for chronic pain sufferers