Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, fatigue, and often sleep problems and brain fog. It affects about 4 million U.S. adults, mostly women. Current FDA-approved drugs — pregabalin, duloxetine, and milnacicline — help some people but leave many still struggling with daily symptoms.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing low-dose naltrexone, cannabis compounds, nerve stimulation devices, drugs that target specific pain pathways, and treatments for the sleep disruption and cognitive symptoms many people experience. Researchers are also studying inflammation markers and small-fiber nerve damage to better understand what drives fibromyalgia pain.
Low-dose naltrexone
This repurposed drug appears to calm inflammatory signals in the brain and spinal cord. Several trials are testing whether it reduces pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia.
Nerve stimulation
Devices that deliver electrical pulses to nerves show promise for pain control without medication side effects. Trials are testing both wearable devices and implanted stimulators.
Sleep-targeted treatments
Poor sleep worsens fibromyalgia pain, and standard sleep drugs often don't help. New trials are testing medications that target the specific sleep-stage disruptions seen in fibromyalgia.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically requires meeting diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia, a certain pain severity level, and often a stable medication regimen for several weeks before joining.
What types of trials are currently open
- Pain medication trials — Testing new drugs or drug combinations to reduce widespread pain. Some target specific receptors or pathways not addressed by current medications.
- Device trials — Testing electrical stimulation devices, vibration therapy, and other non-drug approaches to pain relief.
- Sleep trials — Testing medications or behavioral treatments aimed at improving the disrupted sleep patterns common in fibromyalgia.
- Exercise and rehabilitation trials — Testing structured exercise programs, physical therapy approaches, and pacing strategies to improve function and reduce symptoms.
- Cognitive symptom trials — Testing treatments for the brain fog and memory problems many people with fibromyalgia experience.
Recently added Fibromyalgia trials
Respiratory Function in Fibromiyalgia Syndrome
Fibromyalgia is a condition that may lead to a decline in respiratory function, as well as impaired oxygen delivery to and utilization by the muscles-factors that contribute to fatigue and reduced exercise capacity. However, this aspect remains insufficiently studied and is not yet clearly understood. In this context, this study aims to compare upper extremity functional exercise capacity, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, muscle oxygenation, pain, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome against those of healthy individuals.
The Role of Interoceptive Sensitivity in Central Sensitization Symptom Severity in Fibromyalgia
In fibromyalgia, the increased central sensitization symptom burden can lead to a disruption in the individual's interoception and difficulties in managing symptoms. Additionally, impaired internal perception can also affect conditions such as pain severity, fatigue, sleep quality, and accompanying depression and anxiety in fibromyalgia patients. With this study, the relationship between central sensitization and interoceptive sensitivity in fibromyalgia will be examined, and the relationship of interoceptive sensitivity with issues such as sleep quality, pain severity, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in fibromyalgia patients will also be investigated.
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