Could ketamine help veterans with back pain and depression?

NCT ID NCT06419439

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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

Summary

This pilot study is testing whether ketamine infusions, combined with a brief counseling session, can help veterans who have both chronic low back pain and depression. About 44 veterans will receive four ketamine infusions over two weeks, and some will also get a short behavioral intervention. The goal is to see if this approach is feasible, safe, and acceptable, and to measure changes in pain interference and mood.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: ketamine hydrochloride
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new treatment option that eases both pain and depression in veterans.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early pilot study with only 44 participants, so results may not apply widely. Ketamine can cause side effects like dizziness or dissociation.

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

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CHRONIC LOW-BACK PAIN are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome Depression depressive disorder Low Back Pain Narrative Medicine Recurrence

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CHRONIC LOW-BACK PAIN DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
RECRUITING

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105-2303, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.