NIH Clinical Research Studies

Protocol Number: 03-CC-0060

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

Title:
Virtual Functional Anatomy (VFA)
Number:
03-CC-0060
Summary:
This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study how muscles, tendons, and bones work together to cause motion. The procedure is one of several tools being developed to characterize normal and impaired musculoskeletal function, with the goal of developing improved methods of diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders.

Healthy normal volunteers between 18 and 50 years of age, with or without joint impairment, may be eligible for this study. Volunteers with joint impairment may not have serious injury to the joint being studied, previous surgery on the joint being studied, or extreme pain at the joint being studied.

MRI uses a strong magnet and radio waves to create images of the inside of the body. The subject lies on a long narrow couch inside a metal cylinder (the scanner) for up to 3 hours while the scanner gathers data. Earplugs are worn to muffle loud noises caused by electrical switching of radiofrequency circuits used in the scanning process. A special pad or tube may be placed over or around the region being scanned to improve the quality of the data. The subject will be asked to repeatedly move a specific joint, such as the knee, for brief periods, usually less than 5 minutes. The subject can communicate via intercom with the person performing the study at all times during the procedure, and may request to stop the study at any time.

Sponsoring Institute:
Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center (CC)
Recruitment Detail
Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects
Gender: Male & Female
Referral Letter Required: No
Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA - ALL VOLUNTEERS:

They must be between ages of 8 and 50 who are capable of giving informed consent.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA - UNIMPAIRED VOLUNTEERS:

1) Any relevant medical problems (connective tissue problems, active arthritis, etc.).

2) Any clinical signs of an impairment in the joint being studied, such as mechanical joint abnormalities including abnormal range of motion, muscle weakness, malalignment.

3) Any serious injury to the joint being studied, previous surgery on the joint being studied or extreme pain at the joint being studied.

4) Pregnancy.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA - ALL VOLUNTEERS:

A volunteer will be excluded if he/she has a contraindication to MR imaging such as surgery that involves metal clips or wires which might be expected to concentrate radiofrequency fields or cause tissue damage from twisting in a magnetic field. Examples include:

1) Aneurysm clip

2) Implanted neural stimulator

3) Implanted cardiac pacemaker or autodefibrillator

4) Cochlear implant

5) Ocular foreign body (e.g. metal shavings)

6) Insulin pump

Subjects will be excluded if it is deemed that they have a condition, which would preclude them from participating in an MRI study (e.g. paralyzed hemidiaphragm, morbid obesity, claustrophobia etc.) or present unnecessary risks (e.g. insulinoma, etc.). Lastly, women who are pregnant will be excluded from participating in this study in order to prevent possible damage to the fetus.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided
Keywords:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Muscle
Bone
Dynamics
Visualization
Recruitment Keywords:
None
Conditions:
Healthy
Investigational Drug(s):
None
Investigational Device(s):
None

Contacts:
Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:
Nisell R, Ekholm J. Patellar forces during knee extension.

Scand J Rehabil Med. 1985;17(2):63-74.

Grabiner MD, Koh TJ, Draganich LF. Neuromechanics of the patellofemoral joint. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994 Jan;26(1):10-21. Review.

Boucher JP, King MA, Lefebvre R, Pepin A. Quadriceps femoris muscle activity in patellofemoral pain syndrome. Am J Sports Med. 1992 Sep-Oct;20(5):527-32.

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

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