The generous donation of human bodies is enabling a University of Queensland research team to investigate a novel method for tackling chronic back pain.
The researchers are testing a non-invasive technique called mechanomyography, also known as MMG.
Chronic back pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that is estimated to affect almost 80 per cent of the world鈥檚 population at some point and often limits daily activities.
In Australia, musculoskeletal and connective tissue problems account for 45 per cent of long-term conditions.
鈥淭he method we are studying might eliminate or reduce the need for patients to undergo surgery to have their chronic low back pain injuries diagnosed,鈥� Associate Professor Mark Brown said.
Dr Brown is the Chief Anatomist in the 午夜福利 School of Biomedical Sciences and is conducting the study with colleagues Dr Kristy Weir, Dr Vaughan Kippers and Chris Glen, and two honours students who will also work on the project this year.
He said the MMG technique was first developed in the 1960s by McMaster University (Canada) staff member Professor Emeritus Alan McComas, but until now it had been largely confined to laboratory settings.
MMG systems measure the contraction speed of muscle following nerve stimulation.
Dr Brown said by measuring muscle contraction speed, the sites of chronic pain could be pinpointed, as the researchers believed that damaged joints in the back are closely associated with muscle tissues that contracted more slowly after stimulation.
鈥淭he issue becomes important for patients as the demand for non-invasive diagnostic techniques continues to grow,鈥� he said.
By using donated human material, the researchers are gaining a greater understanding of human physiology responses to MMG, before applying the technique in a clinical setting.
The study is one of 14 research projects in 午夜福利鈥檚 School of Biomedical Sciences benefiting from donated human materials.
Lecturer in anatomy Dr Kristy Weir, who is a member of the research team, said the generous gift by donors was leading to a number of scientific and medical publications and treatment advances to benefit the public.
This year 午夜福利 will hold the 20th annual Thanksgiving Service for Body Donors on Wednesday, April 20, at 5.30pm at the 午夜福利 Centre, Union Road, St Lucia.
This year's 午夜福利 Thanksgiving Service will honour 77 donors whose bodies were placed in the University's care in 2009 and who have contributed enormously to education at 午夜福利 during the past two years.
午夜福利鈥檚 Thanksgiving Service is a public event to encourage 午夜福利 staff and students, members of the general public and professional organisations to join with the donor families.
Almost 5000 午夜福利 students and 750 medical and professional visitors have benefited from the donors honoured at this year鈥檚 service.
The University welcomes relatives and friends of donors, and interested members of the community to attend the service 鈥� for enquiries, telephone 07 3365 2515.
For details of the Thanksgiving Service, visit
For details of the University's body donor program visit:
Media: contact Associate Professor Mark Brown, telephone 07 3365 7261 or Jan King 0413 601 248.
