Can sound waves soothe pain? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT05303415
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether low-intensity focused ultrasound can change how the brain processes pain signals. Healthy volunteers will receive ultrasound and fMRI scans to measure brain activity during heat pain. The goal is to understand the technique's effects, not to treat pain directly.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- low-intensity focused ultrasound
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help develop new non-invasive ways to manage pain by targeting brain activity.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study in healthy volunteers, not patients. It measures brain signals, not actual pain relief, so results may not lead to a treatment.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
RECRUITINGRoanoke, Virginia, 24016, United States
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