Acupuncture's pain relief tied to brain synchrony between patient and practitioner

NCT ID NCT02908022

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at how the brains of fibromyalgia patients and their acupuncturists work together during electroacupuncture treatment. Using special MRI scans that record both people at once, researchers hope to see if matching brain activity leads to better pain relief. The goal is to understand the social and psychological aspects of acupuncture, not to test a new drug or cure.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: electroacupuncture
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help explain how the patient-clinician interaction enhances acupuncture's pain-relieving effects.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study focused on brain mechanisms, not a treatment trial. Results may not lead to new therapies or apply to all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

fibromyalgia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY FIBROMYALGIA PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP

Contacts and locations

Locations

Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging

Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States

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