Magnetic Resonance Elastography of Chronic Low Back Pain Before and After Therapy

This study is looking at how a device called EMMA (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation) affects chronic low back pain. EMMA provides device-assisted massage therapy. Researchers want to see if this massage changes the mechanical properties of your lower back muscles and tissues. You might be able to join if you are an adult (18 or older) with chronic low back pain for at least three months, and your pain level is 4 or higher on a pain scale. The study will measure changes in a mobility index right after the treatment to see if the intervention is successful. The current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design: This is an interventional study planning to enroll 38 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved: You would receive one 30-minute session of device-assisted massage therapy using EMMA.
Compensation: Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up: Your mobility will be measured at baseline and 30 minutes after the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

Magnetic Resonance Elastography Of Chronic Low Back Pain Before And After Therapy

Not Yet Recruiting

NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment

Mayo Clinic

~38 participants

Updated 2026-07-22 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What's tested:EMMA (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation)

At a glance

Recruiting sites

0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now

RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open

What they're measuring

Change in SII-derived mobility index

Measured over Baseline, 30 minutes post-intervention

Conditions

Low Back Pain, Recurrent

Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP)

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states

Minnesota1

Study leadership

Ziying Yin, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Mayo Clinic

Who to contact

Melissa Bush

[email protected]

507-266-1008

Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult males or females (age ≥ 18 years)

Report chronic low back pain (≥3 months) (measured by patient history and clinical evaluation)

Pain intensity reported at baseline must be ≥4 on the pain VAS scale

Presence of myofascial pain features in the lumbar region (e.g., localized tenderness and/or trigger points identified by a qualified clinician/therapist)

Able to lie in supine and prone positions for study procedures

Be able to participate fully in all aspects of the study

Have understood and signed study informed consent

Exclusion

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Patients with the inability to stay in a prone and supine position for the required procedure durations (e.g., ≥30 minutes at a time)

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

Previous lumbar spine surgery or history of severe lumbar injury (e.g., fracture) that, in the investigation team's judgment, would interfere with participation or safety

Patients with known bleeding disorders or current therapeutic anticoagulation that would increase risk of bruising/bleeding with massage

Patients with skin conditions affecting the treatment area (e.g., rash, open wound, active dermatitis) or known allergy to any materials used during treatment (e.g., gels/cleaners), if applicable

Receipt of a new pain treatment within 3 days of the study visit (e.g., injection, ablation, spinal manipulation, massage/manual therapy) that could confound pre/post measures

Use of short-acting opioid analgesics or sedating medications within 24 hours of the study visit

Have an implanted device in or near the treatment area that could interfere with safe application of external pressure

Have used an investigational drug within 30 days of study enrollment

History of any major cardiovascular events including heart valve disease, ongoing angina, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or peripheral vascular disease.

Clinically significant unstable neurologic or systemic illness that would preclude safe participation, as judged by the investigation team.

Surgical intervention for pain within 1 month prior to enrollment

Active infection, wound, or other external trauma to the areas to be treated

Have a known history of any condition or factor judged by the investigator to preclude participation in the study or which might hinder adherence

Inability to provide consent

What this trial measures

Change in SII-derived mobility indexBaseline, 30 minutes post-intervention

Trialytics