Chronic pain — pain lasting more than three months — affects hundreds of millions of people and can arise from nerve damage, inflammation, or central sensitization where the nervous system itself becomes overactive. Finding effective treatments without dependence-risk has become one of the most urgent challenges in medicine.
What's actually going on in research
Non-opioid pain pathways are a major research focus: drugs targeting sodium channels, CGRP receptors, and other neural signaling molecules are being developed to interrupt pain signals without the risks of opioids. Neuromodulation — using electrical signals to calm overactive pain circuits — is being tested via implanted devices, transcranial stimulation, and spinal cord stimulators. Behavioral and psychological therapies, including digital programs, are being validated as standalone and add-on treatments for multiple chronic pain conditions.
Non-opioid drug targets
New drugs targeting sodium channels (Nav1.7/1.8), CGRP receptors, and other pain-signaling proteins aim to break pain cycles without addiction risk or sedation.
Neuromodulation
Spinal cord stimulators, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and dorsal root ganglion stimulators are being refined and tested in larger trials across different pain types.
Psychological approaches
Structured cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance-based therapies — including digital delivery — are being tested as primary treatments that re-train how the brain processes pain.
What to know before you search
Eligibility usually requires pain duration of at least 3–6 months, a specific pain diagnosis or location, prior treatment attempts, and exclusion of serious underlying conditions.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing new non-opioid medications or novel formulations targeting specific pain pathways.
- Device trials — Evaluating neuromodulation devices including spinal cord stimulators and transcranial stimulation systems.
- Behavioral trials — Testing psychological therapies, digital pain programs, and multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation.
- Procedure-based trials — Evaluating nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and other minimally invasive pain procedures.
- Observational studies — Tracking how chronic pain evolves over time and what predicts response to treatment.
Recently added Chronic Pain trials
Topical Intranasal Anesthetic Block for Reducing the Pain of Botulinum Toxin Injections for Chronic Migraine
People find the injections used in onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®) uncomfortable. This study will test whether putting a small piece of cotton soaked with 4% lidocaine (a numbing medicine) inside the front of each nostril for 5 minutes before the injections reduces injection pain compared with cotton soaked in saline (salt water).
Impact of Pelvic Pain Podcast
The purpose of this research study is to study the impact of an educational podcast on pelvic pain. If you decide to take part in this research, you may receive the standard treatment for pelvic pain, or you may receive the standard treatment plus access to an educational podcast series. You will be randomly assigned to receive access to the podcast or to receive standard care. If you are assigned to receive access to the podcast, participating in this research will involve listening to a podcast series. All participants will complete three ten-minute online surveys over the course of 6 months. Reasons you may choose to participate in this research are if you want to learn more about pelvic pain and possible benefits of listening to the podcast, such as improved quality of life, reduced stigma, or increased satisfaction with your medical care.
Find Chronic Pain trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.