Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties, affecting roughly 2–4% of the population. It is understood to involve central nervous system sensitization — the brain and spinal cord amplify pain signals — rather than tissue damage.
What's actually going on in research
Low-dose naltrexone is being studied for fibromyalgia based on evidence it modulates microglial activation and neuroinflammation. GLP-1 agonists are showing promise in early studies for pain reduction in fibromyalgia, and dedicated trials are beginning. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation targeting pain-processing regions of the brain are in trials, alongside digital cognitive-behavioral therapy programs.
Low-dose naltrexone
At much lower doses than used for opioid overdose, naltrexone may modulate microglial activity and central pain sensitization. Trials are testing it specifically for fibromyalgia pain and fatigue.
Brain stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the motor cortex or DLPFC is showing modest pain and fatigue benefits in small fibromyalgia trials, and larger sham-controlled studies are underway.
Digital pain programs
App-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for pain, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness programs are being tested in fibromyalgia for scalable, sustained benefit.
What to know before you search
Eligibility requires a fibromyalgia diagnosis (ACR criteria), pain severity threshold, symptom duration, and often exclusion of inflammatory or structural conditions.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing low-dose naltrexone, GLP-1 agonists, sodium channel blockers, and other novel pain medications.
- Brain stimulation trials — Evaluating TMS, tDCS, and other non-invasive brain modulation approaches for pain and fatigue.
- Behavioral therapy trials — Comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy, ACT, and mindfulness interventions delivered in-person and digitally.
- Exercise trials — Testing aerobic exercise, aquatic therapy, and tai chi protocols for pain, fatigue, and function.
- Combination trials — Testing simultaneous drug and behavioral therapy for greater fibromyalgia symptom relief.
Recently added Fibromyalgia trials
Yishen Shujin Decoction for Fibromyalgia Syndrome
This 24-week prospective study (12-week intervention + 12-week follow-up) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of YishenShujin Decoction, a clinically established herbal prescription, in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The primary outcome is pain intensity measured by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Secondary outcomes include improvements in the Fibromyalgia symptom scale(FS), revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire(FIQR), the Short Form-36 Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36), and FM-associated comorbidities. Safety profiles will be systematically monitored. In addition, brain structural and functional MRI will be used in this study to explore the underlying mechanisms.The findings aim to establish evidence for the formula's efficacy and provide insights into its role in FM management.
COMPARISON OF THREE TREATMENT MODALITIES IN MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The primary outcomes include pain intensity and functional status. Patients will be randomly assigned to different treatment groups, and outcomes will be evaluated before and after the interventions. The results of this study are expected to contribute to determining the most effective treatment method for pain management.
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