Ancient shamanic rituals tested for fibromyalgia relief
NCT ID NCT06579261
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether core shamanism—sessions with drumming, rattling, and discussion—can help reduce pain and other symptoms in women with fibromyalgia. Twenty-five participants will attend up to five sessions while researchers measure pain, heart rate, breathing, and brain activity. The main goal is to see if the approach is feasible and acceptable, not yet to prove it works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- core shamanism (drumming and rattling sessions with a practitioner)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug, mind-body approach to help manage fibromyalgia pain and related symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early feasibility study with only 25 participants. It is not designed to prove effectiveness, and results may not apply to everyone with fibromyalgia.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 25 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2024
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria for Fibromyalgia participants: * Female * Over 18 and under 75 years of age. * Fibromyalgia patients and satisfies the 2016 Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria for the classification of FM. * Mean recalled pain over the last seven days (7-day recall) greater than or equal to 4 on a 10 cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain; 7-day recall. * Willing to limit the introduction of any new medications or treatment modalities for control of FM symptoms during the study. * Able to travel to the study site to receive shamanic treatments up to twice weekly. * Understanding and willing to complete all study procedures. * Capable of giving written informed consent. * Proficient ability to speak, read, and write in english. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of a concurrent autoimmune or inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. that causes pain. * History of head injury with substantial loss of consciousness * Peripheral neuropathy of known cause that interferes with activities of daily living. * Routine daily use of opioid analgesics, marijuana, or history of substance abuse. * Stimulant medications, such as those used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (e.g., amphetamine/ dextroamphetamine \[Adderall®\], methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine), or the fatigue associated with sleep apnea or shift work (e.g., modafinil), are excluded. * Concurrent participation in other therapeutic trials. * Use of as needed (PRN) over the counter (OTC) pain medications (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), etc.) on day of electroencephalogram (EEG) testing. * Use of PRN opioid analgesics 48 hours prior to electroencephalogram (EEG) testing. * Pregnant or nursing. A pregnancy test will be given prior to electroencephalogram (EEG) sessions. * Severe psychiatric illnesses (current schizophrenia, major depression with suicidal ideation, substance abuse within two years). * Contraindications to EEG methods. These may include but are not limited to: surgical clips, surgical staples, metal implants, and certain metallic dental material. * Any impairment, activity or situation that is in the judgment of the Study Coordinator or Principal Investigator that would prevent satisfactory completion of the study protocol. This includes unreliable, or inconsistent pain scores as deemed by the principal investigator. * Sufficient knowledge of Shamanism techniques that may bias participant outcomes. * Presence of factors that may preclude the safe use of the Shamanism intervention. * History vascular surgery in lower limbs or current lower limb vascular dysfunction. * Presence of uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. * Subjects with Worker's Compensation, Workman's Compensation, civil litigation or disability claims pertinent to the subject's fibromyalgia; current involvement in out-of-court settlements for claims pertinent to the subject's fibromyalgia; or currently receiving monetary compensation as a result of any of the above. * Inability or unwillingness of an individual to give written informed consent.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
RECRUITINGIrvine, California, 92617, United States
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