Taking people in United StatesNo phase

Testing a skin-contact device to measure muscle health in muscle disease

Compares a handheld muscle device with MRI in adults with and without muscle disease.

Key facts

Who runs it: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Where: Boston, United StatesSee the site
Trial code: NCT07502989
Registry title: Muscle Health Measurements Using Electrical Impedance Myography
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 150 people, planned
Started: 9 Apr 2025
Expected to end: Sept 2027
Type of study: Observational, 2 groups
Treatments tested: Electrical Impedance Myography
Record updated: 3 April 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with a muscle disease (myopathy), and also healthy volunteers, to test the mScan device against MRI.

Age: 18 to 89 years
Sex: All sexes
Disease stage: People with muscle disease need a confirmed primary myopathy, shown in their medical records by genetic tests, blood tests or a past muscle biopsy. Healthy volunteers can also join.

Main reasons for not taking part

Cannot lie flat, or fear of closed spaces (claustrophobia)
Pregnancy
Anything that rules out MRI or DXA scans, such as an MRI-incompatible pacemaker or metal in the legs
BMI > 35 kg/m2 or weight greater than 450 lbs (204 kg)
Leg swelling above 1+, other diseases of the leg muscles, or chronic skin ulcers

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 10 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

Ages 18-89
Evidence of a primary myopathic condition as determined by detailed chart review, including results of genetic testing, serological data, or previous muscle biopsy

Who cannot take part

Inability to lie flat or history of claustrophobia
Chronic skin conditions with ulcerations which would interfere with EIM electrode contact or be uncomfortable for the participant
Contraindications to undergo DXA Scan; Any studies/scans with a radioisotope within the past 15 days; Any imaging with radiographic contrast in the past 7 days; Weight greater than 450 lbs; Calcium supplements or antacids containing calcium in the past 24 hours
>1+ lower extremity edema
Presence of multiple other pathologies affecting lower extremity muscles to be studied
Pregnancy
Contraindications for MRI scanning - e.g. MRI incompatible pacemaker, deep brain stimulator, or lower extremity hardware
Severe obesity with BMI > 35 kg/m2, given difficulties fitting in MRI scanner and impact of severe obesity on EIM data

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

Are you between 18 and 89 years old?

Where in United States

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, United StatesContact: Amy LewandowskiTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

This study is being done to further develop a device, the mScan, to measure muscle health as compared to measurements of muscle health using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This device is held against the skin and uses Electrical Impedance Myography (EIM). EIM uses a very small, noninvasive (e.g. no needles), brief (about 6 seconds), and painless electrical current to measure the muscle. The investigators will look at how the mScan predicts the muscle measurements seen on MRI in people with and without muscle disease. The investigators hope that this can be used in the future as a quick, convenient and less time-consuming way than MRI to assess muscle health. This could be used to measure how well treatments for different muscle disorders are working over a period of time.