Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidence
Abstract Objectives To compare thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) shear strain between individuals with and without nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), investigate its correlation with symptoms, and assess a standardized massage technique’s impact on TLF shear strain. Methods Participants were prospectively...
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SpringerOpen
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Insights into Imaging |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-024-01895-2 |
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| author | Norio Tomita Marie-Hélène Roy-Cardinal Boris Chayer Stacey Daher Ameer Attiya Aline Boulanger Nathaly Gaudreault Guy Cloutier Nathalie J. Bureau |
| author_facet | Norio Tomita Marie-Hélène Roy-Cardinal Boris Chayer Stacey Daher Ameer Attiya Aline Boulanger Nathaly Gaudreault Guy Cloutier Nathalie J. Bureau |
| author_sort | Norio Tomita |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives To compare thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) shear strain between individuals with and without nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), investigate its correlation with symptoms, and assess a standardized massage technique’s impact on TLF shear strain. Methods Participants were prospectively enrolled between February 2021 and June 2022. Pre- and post-intervention TLF ultrasound and pain/disability questionnaires were conducted. Cumulated (C|ShS|L) and maximum (Max|ShS|L) shear strain parameters were computed from radiofrequency data, and TLF thickness was measured on reconstructed B-mode images. Statistical analysis included linear mixed-effects regression. Results Thirty-two NSLBP participants (mean age, 57 ± 9 years [standard deviation]; 21 women) and 32 controls (51 ± 10 years; 22 women) (p = 0.02) were enrolled. The mean shear strain was higher in NSLBP participants (C|ShS|L: 327.1% ± 106.0 vs 290.2% ± 99.8, p < 0.0001; Max|ShS|L: 8.1% ± 2.8 vs 7.0% ± 2.4, p < 0.0001) than controls, while mean TLF thickness (1.6 mm ± 1.0 vs 1.5 mm ± 0.9; p = 0.43) was comparable. Elastography parameters correlated with pain [C|ShS|L estimate [β], 0.01 [95% CI: 0.002, 0.02]; p = 0.02); Max|ShS|L [β], 0.003 [95% CI: 0.001, 0.005]; p < 0.001)] and disability [C|ShS|L [β] 0.02 [95% CI: 0.005, 0.03]; p = 0.009); Max|ShS|L [β] 0.003 [95% CI: 0.001, 0.006]; p = 0.002)] scores. Neither C|ShS|L (β, 0.13 [−0.27, 0.53]; p = 0.53) nor Max|ShS|L (β, −0.02 [−0.10, 0.05]; p = 0.59) changed post-intervention. Conclusion Individuals with NSLBP demonstrated elevated TLF shear strain compared to controls, with similar TLF thickness. The shear strain correlated with pain and disability scores, yet a brief massage did not influence shear strain. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04716101. Registered 14 January 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04716101 . Critical relevance statement Ultrasound shows elevated TLF shear strain in lower back pain sufferers compared to controls. This correlates with symptoms, suggesting a role as a pain generator. Further investigation into its anatomy, mechanical characteristics, and pathophysiology is crucial for better understanding. Key Points Structural and mechanical alterations of the TLF may contribute to low back pain. Elevated TLF lateral shear strain was found in patients with NSLBP. A brief standardized massage therapy technique did not influence elastography parameters. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-386d4be1b327474d9e049e1edad22644 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1869-4101 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
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| series | Insights into Imaging |
| spelling | doaj-art-386d4be1b327474d9e049e1edad226442025-01-19T12:26:15ZengSpringerOpenInsights into Imaging1869-41012025-01-0116111210.1186/s13244-024-01895-2Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidenceNorio Tomita0Marie-Hélène Roy-Cardinal1Boris Chayer2Stacey Daher3Ameer Attiya4Aline Boulanger5Nathaly Gaudreault6Guy Cloutier7Nathalie J. Bureau8Laboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Research CenterLaboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Research CenterLaboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Research CenterFaculty of Medicine, Université de MontréalFaculty of Medicine, Université de MontréalDepartment of Anesthesiology, Université de MontréalFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de SherbrookeLaboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Research CenterDepartment of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de MontréalAbstract Objectives To compare thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) shear strain between individuals with and without nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), investigate its correlation with symptoms, and assess a standardized massage technique’s impact on TLF shear strain. Methods Participants were prospectively enrolled between February 2021 and June 2022. Pre- and post-intervention TLF ultrasound and pain/disability questionnaires were conducted. Cumulated (C|ShS|L) and maximum (Max|ShS|L) shear strain parameters were computed from radiofrequency data, and TLF thickness was measured on reconstructed B-mode images. Statistical analysis included linear mixed-effects regression. Results Thirty-two NSLBP participants (mean age, 57 ± 9 years [standard deviation]; 21 women) and 32 controls (51 ± 10 years; 22 women) (p = 0.02) were enrolled. The mean shear strain was higher in NSLBP participants (C|ShS|L: 327.1% ± 106.0 vs 290.2% ± 99.8, p < 0.0001; Max|ShS|L: 8.1% ± 2.8 vs 7.0% ± 2.4, p < 0.0001) than controls, while mean TLF thickness (1.6 mm ± 1.0 vs 1.5 mm ± 0.9; p = 0.43) was comparable. Elastography parameters correlated with pain [C|ShS|L estimate [β], 0.01 [95% CI: 0.002, 0.02]; p = 0.02); Max|ShS|L [β], 0.003 [95% CI: 0.001, 0.005]; p < 0.001)] and disability [C|ShS|L [β] 0.02 [95% CI: 0.005, 0.03]; p = 0.009); Max|ShS|L [β] 0.003 [95% CI: 0.001, 0.006]; p = 0.002)] scores. Neither C|ShS|L (β, 0.13 [−0.27, 0.53]; p = 0.53) nor Max|ShS|L (β, −0.02 [−0.10, 0.05]; p = 0.59) changed post-intervention. Conclusion Individuals with NSLBP demonstrated elevated TLF shear strain compared to controls, with similar TLF thickness. The shear strain correlated with pain and disability scores, yet a brief massage did not influence shear strain. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04716101. Registered 14 January 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04716101 . Critical relevance statement Ultrasound shows elevated TLF shear strain in lower back pain sufferers compared to controls. This correlates with symptoms, suggesting a role as a pain generator. Further investigation into its anatomy, mechanical characteristics, and pathophysiology is crucial for better understanding. Key Points Structural and mechanical alterations of the TLF may contribute to low back pain. Elevated TLF lateral shear strain was found in patients with NSLBP. A brief standardized massage therapy technique did not influence elastography parameters. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-024-01895-2FasciaLow back painUltrasoundShear strain imagingElastography |
| spellingShingle | Norio Tomita Marie-Hélène Roy-Cardinal Boris Chayer Stacey Daher Ameer Attiya Aline Boulanger Nathaly Gaudreault Guy Cloutier Nathalie J. Bureau Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidence Insights into Imaging Fascia Low back pain Ultrasound Shear strain imaging Elastography |
| title | Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidence |
| title_full | Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidence |
| title_fullStr | Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidence |
| title_short | Thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals: expanding the evidence |
| title_sort | thoracolumbar fascia ultrasound shear strain differs between low back pain and asymptomatic individuals expanding the evidence |
| topic | Fascia Low back pain Ultrasound Shear strain imaging Elastography |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-024-01895-2 |
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