CHRONIC PAIN

This study tests a non-drug treatment called transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) for people who have both depression and chronic pain. 240 adults will receive either real or sham brain stimulation for 2 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in pain and mood to see if this…

This study tests whether imagining McKenzie back exercises (a type of movement therapy) can help reduce pain and improve movement in adults with low back pain. Forty participants who prefer extension-based exercises will try a single session of mental imagery. Researchers will me…

This study aims to see if a series of six weekly videos, featuring real patients sharing their experiences with chronic pain, can help older adults (55+) manage their pain and improve daily life. The videos teach practical coping strategies based on acceptance and commitment ther…

This study will follow 120 adults with chronic pain, nerve damage from chemotherapy, radiation side effects, or slow-healing wounds who are referred for ozone therapy. Researchers will measure changes in quality of life, pain levels, and other health markers before and after trea…

This study compares cannabis and opioids to see which works better for chronic pain and circulatory problems. The goal is to find safer, non-addictive pain relief options. Researchers will measure changes in pain and swelling using nerve tests. The study plans to enroll 1000 adul…

This study looks at whether breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) can help people with severe Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The goal is to reduce pain and improve wrist movement and daily function. Sixty adults with CRPS Type I will b…

This study tests whether a smartphone app that plays personalized music can help people with HIV manage chronic pain. Sixty adults with HIV and ongoing pain will either use the app daily for 3 months or receive standard pain education. The goal is to see if the app is practical a…

This study compares two ways of treating chronic muscle and joint pain: one that focuses on reducing pain and another that focuses on improving daily function. About 24 adults will attend weekly team-based sessions for 3 months. Researchers will measure pain levels, how much pain…

This study tests whether listening to a short, guided mindfulness recording can help reduce pain in people waiting for orthopedic care. About 300 adults will be randomly assigned to different lengths of mindfulness practice or a control group. The goal is to see if even a brief s…

This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation method called iTBS for veterans who have both PTSD and chronic pain. Over one week, 30 veterans will receive 5-6 short sessions per day. Researchers will check if symptoms improve right after treatment and at 3 and 6 weeks later. …

This study tests an online program called EmpowerSpine for people with spinal cord injury who have chronic pain. The program teaches pain biology, daily coping strategies, and resilience skills. Researchers want to find out which parts of the program—like guidance from a clinicia…

This study tests a non-invasive device called Scrambler Therapy to relieve nerve pain in children with cancer that has spread to the bones. About 70 children will receive the treatment, and researchers will measure changes in pain intensity and medication use. The goal is to impr…

This study tests whether using a smartwatch and a mobile app to track pain, activity, and medication in real time can improve outcomes for adults with chronic low back pain. About 80 people will either receive standard care or standard care plus the digital tools. The goal is to …

This study tests whether giving a single dose of ketamine during open-heart surgery can reduce chronic pain that sometimes lasts for months after the operation. About 100 adults having planned heart surgery will be randomly assigned to receive either ketamine or a placebo during …

This study compares two common stitch materials (Vicryl vs. Prolene) used to close the belly wall after surgery. The goal is to see which one leads to fewer problems like hernia, infection, and long-term pain. 156 adults in Pakistan having belly surgery will be randomly assigned …

This study looks at whether playing music before, during, and after pain treatments can help people with long-term pain feel less anxious and hurt less. About 110 adults will either listen to their own chosen music or receive standard care. The goal is to see if music can be a si…

This study will test if sleeping with a weighted blanket (about 10% of body weight) can help adults with chronic pain feel better. About 44 people will use the blanket every night for 5 weeks and report changes in pain, sleep, and daily activities. The goal is to see if this simp…

This study tests a personalized coaching program for 30 veterans with long-term muscle or joint pain. The goal is to help them create and stick to self-care plans like exercise or relaxation techniques. Researchers want to see if the program is practical and helpful for veterans.

This study looks at whether practicing Tai Chi for 24 weeks can reduce chronic pain, improve thinking and movement, and lower the chance of falling in older adults (65+) who have pain in multiple body areas and are at risk for falls. About 266 participants will be randomly assign…

This study looks at whether one session of intense aerobic exercise can reduce pain sensitivity in young people aged 10-21 with chronic pain. Researchers will measure pain responses before and after exercise in 66 participants. The goal is to see if exercise can be a simple, drug…

This study tests a group program for adults with long-term back pain. Participants will learn about pain, healthy habits, and emotional tools, plus do guided exercises. The goal is to see if it improves physical function, reduces fear of movement, and boosts quality of life. Abou…

This study tests whether ketamine, combined with talk therapy, can help people with depression that hasn't improved with other treatments. About 25 adults will receive 1-2 doses of ketamine along with 3-4 psychotherapy sessions. Researchers will use brain scans to see how ketamin…

This study tests whether a 10-week virtual mindfulness program can improve quality of life for 124 people with endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain. Participants will attend online workshops and complete questionnaires. The goal is to see if this accessible, drug-free approa…

This study looks at whether a 6-week virtual reality (VR) program is a practical and acceptable way to teach people with chronic pain about their condition. Fifty adults with chronic pain will use a VR tool called Reality Health™ to learn about pain science, coping strategies, an…

This study tests a one-time, 45-minute virtual reality (VR) program guided by an AI coach to help people with chronic pain and opioid misuse. Fifteen participants will try three short sessions: a check-in, pain coping skills training, and a stress reduction exercise. The goal is …

This study tests a wearable ultrasound device that aims to reduce nerve pain without surgery or medication. The device is placed on the skin over the painful area and delivers gentle ultrasound pulses. About 90 adults with chronic nerve pain will attend one visit to try the devic…

This study tests a digital treatment program that veterans can use at home to manage chronic pain and opioid addiction. About 250 veterans who take buprenorphine for opioid use disorder will participate. The program aims to reduce how much pain interferes with daily life and impr…

This study compares two types of nerve blocks (erector spinae block vs. paravertebral block) given before mastectomy to see which one better prevents chronic pain three months after surgery. About 132 adults having a total mastectomy will be randomly assigned to receive one of th…

This study tests whether a mind-body mobile app combined with a guided gentle movement program can help people with chronic pain feel better. About 100 adults aged 19 to 75 with pain lasting at least 6 months will use the app and do weekly movement sessions for 6 weeks. Researche…

This study tests an internet-based therapy program for adults with chronic pain who also feel anxious or depressed. About 10 participants will receive online sessions and phone support from a psychologist over several weeks. The goal is to see if this approach reduces how much pa…

This study tests whether performing pain-relief procedures, like nerve blocks, at home is safe and effective. It includes 100 adults with chronic, cancer, or nerve pain who are already receiving home hospital care. The goal is to reduce pain and the need for strong painkillers wh…

This study looks at whether teaching people with migraine or chronic lower back pain about good sleep habits can help them sleep better and feel less pain. About 100 adults will take part, learning sleep hygiene tips and using them at home for four weeks. There is no medicine inv…

This study will test a psychological treatment for chronic pain that is adapted to the culture of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. About 30 adults with chronic pain will take part to see if the program is acceptable and practical. The goal is to gather information neede…

This study looks at how adults with chronic pelvic pain understand their pain and cope with it, and how these factors relate to their sexual function. Researchers will ask 50 participants to fill out questionnaires about pain knowledge, coping strategies, and sexual health. No tr…

This study tests a new way to organize care for people with long-term pain. It involves 66 adults getting physical therapy at three health centers in Spain. The goal is to see if this personalized approach improves coordination among healthcare providers and patient outcomes.

This observational study looks at how people with chronic pain experience pleasant touch and how often they receive it in daily life. Researchers want to see if these experiences are linked to pain sensitivity and body awareness. About 100 adults referred to a pain clinic in Swed…

This study asks 200 adults with chronic pain which side effects of pain medications bother them most compared to the pain relief they get. Participants will rate issues like drowsiness, nausea, and addiction risk. The goal is to help doctors choose better treatments based on what…

This study looks at whether blood clots (VTE) that form after a serious arm or leg injury increase the risk of long-term pain. Researchers will follow 150 adults for six months after their injury, comparing pain levels in those who develop clots and those who don't. The goal is t…

This study looks at whether a short lesson about how pain works (called Pain Neuroscience Education) can improve memory and change how people with chronic pain sense their body. About 50 adults with pain lasting over a year will take memory tests and draw where they feel pain bef…

This study will collect information from 40 adults with long-lasting, severe pain who are planning to get a temporary spinal cord stimulator called the Evoke System. The goal is to see how well the device reduces pain and whether patients can learn to adjust it on their own. Rese…

This study watches 220 adults getting knee replacement to see if a short burst of pain after nerve block wears off (rebound pain) is linked to pain lasting months later. No new treatments are tested—just standard care and surveys at 3 and 6 months after surgery. The goal is to le…

This study tests a special band-aid (called the A-Band) and a smartwatch that use AI to measure pain in women with chronic pain. About 115 women will wear the patch on their arm for up to 90 minutes at a time over a week, while also wearing a smartwatch and answering pain questio…

This study aims to find out why some people develop long-lasting pain after a serious injury that breaks a limb. Researchers will follow 450 adults with multiple injuries and at least one broken bone. Participants will answer questions about their pain at 3 and 6 months after the…

This study looks at whether a combined exercise program can help reduce chronic pain in postmenopausal women. Researchers think insulin resistance might be a key link between metabolism and pain. They will measure pain levels, blood markers, and body changes in 50 women who are n…

This study looks at 180 adults getting a heart device (like a pacemaker) for the first time. Researchers will track their pain and quality of life for a year. They will use this data to build an AI system that can predict who is at risk for long-term pain, so doctors can help pre…

This study follows 100 adults who had a mild to moderate combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) within the last 14 days. Researchers will track their pain for 6 months to find out who develops long-term chronic pain and why. The goal is to create a tool that can predict chro…

This study is translating a questionnaire about pain-related thoughts into Turkish and checking if it works properly. Researchers will ask 210 adults with chronic pain (lasting at least 3 months) to fill out the questionnaire once. The goal is to provide a reliable tool for Turki…

This study compares how well people with chronic jaw pain (temporomandibular disorder, or TMD) and healthy volunteers can detect very thin foils placed between their teeth. Researchers want to see if TMD reduces bite sensitivity and how it relates to other symptoms. About 80 adul…

This study looks back at medical records of 200 adults with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) to see which pain treatments doctors use first and how well they work. The goal is to find patterns that could help guide better treatment choices. No new treatments are given; the s…

This study looks at whether emotional intelligence—the ability to understand and manage emotions—can influence chronic orofacial pain. Researchers will compare 88 adults with and without temporomandibular disorder (TMD) using questionnaires. The goal is to find new ways to improv…

The Pain-at-Work Toolkit has been created together with people who live with chronic pain, employers, healthcare professionals, and a national pain charity. The aim of the toolkit is to help employees with ongoing pain feel more confident in managing their condition at work, know…