Developing models of the human musculoskeletal system
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical data to inform the MultiSim Project: Development of a modelling framework focused on the human musculoskeletal system
IRAS ID
195166
Contact name
Eugene McCloskey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The Institute of in silico Medicine (INSIGNEO), Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Sheffield is conducting a large research project; the MultiSim project. The aim of this study is to develop models (mathematical simulations) of the musculoskeletal system. These models will be based on information collected over a range of biological scales, from the cell (‘pre-clinical’) to the whole human body (‘clinical’); this is known as multi-scale modelling.
The Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, Department of Human Metabolism, The University of Sheffield will work with INSIGNEO to advance the MultiSim project. Our study will collect the clinical data needed to inform and develop these multi-scale models. We will recruit 15 healthy premenopausal women, 10 postmenopausal women with no history of fracture or recent falls and 15 postmenopausal women with recent risk of falls (with or without fractures). These volunteers will have a range of clinical investigations including measurement of markers of bone turnover, imaging of the spine and the lower limb, and functional assessments of mobility and stability.
Our study outcomes will benefit patients, clinicians and the NHS. For the patient, development of multi-scale models of the musculoskeletal system would make possible patient specific diagnosis and treatment approaches. This would allow personalised clinical decision making and, in turn, lead to improvements in the quality of life of patients. For the clinician and the NHS, a multi-scale modelling approach could lead to the introduction of personalised patient care. By predicting whether musculoskeletal disease will occur and personalising treatment/care plans, we can improve clinical outcomes whilst reducing costs to the NHS.REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0049
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion