Sound waves could spot early signs of rare muscle disease
NCT ID NCT07331025
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether ultrasound can detect early facial muscle changes in people with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a rare muscle disease. Researchers compared 20 FSHD patients with 19 healthy adults, measuring muscle thickness and echo intensity in key facial muscles. The goal is to see if ultrasound can serve as a reliable, non-invasive tool to track disease progression where traditional exams fall short.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a simple, non-invasive way to track facial muscle changes in FSHD, helping doctors monitor disease progression more accurately.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early study with only 20 patients, so results may not apply to everyone. Ultrasound findings need more research before they can be used in routine care.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
39 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2023
- Finished
-
Feb 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study population consisted of adults with genetically confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 and age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Participants were recruited from a tertiary neuromuscular disease center and underwent a single-session bilateral facial muscle ultrasound assessment.
- Ages
-
18 to 55 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-55 years * Genetically confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) (patient group) * Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers without neuromuscular disease (control group) * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of other neurological or neuromuscular disorders * History of facial palsy or facial trauma * Botulinum toxin injection to facial muscles within the last 6 months * Inability to cooperate with ultrasound assessment
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
Locations
-
Koç University Hospital
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a national patient registry unlock the secrets of a rare muscle disease?
- Could a single workout shield damaged muscles? a new trial investigates
- Can MRI reveal the hidden progression of muscular dystrophy?
- Personalized exercise program aims to boost mobility in rare muscle diseases
- Can Sauna-Like heat help chronic pain? new study investigates
- New hope for FSHD: Long-Term drug safety trial underway