Try a 12-week remote Qigong program to help reduce spinal cord injury pain

What is this trial?

This study is testing whether Qigong—a gentle, flowing practice combining breathing, movement, and meditation—can help reduce the chronic nerve pain that many people with spinal cord injuries experience. Researchers will teach you Qigong through online videos and track whether practicing it regularly reduces your pain over 12 weeks. The goal is to understand whether this approach is practical and helpful for people from different backgrounds, including Hispanic communities, veterans, and people living in rural areas.

About 7 out of 10 people with spinal cord injuries live with chronic pain, and current treatments rely mainly on pain medications, which can be risky and may lead to addiction. Early studies suggest this treatment could help reduce pain without those risks, but researchers need to test it more carefully with people from different communities to make sure it really works and that everyone can access it.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you have a spinal cord injury with nerve pain rated 4 or higher on a pain scale
you have internet access and a device like a computer, tablet, or smartphone
you are willing to practice Qigong online at least 3 times per week for 12 weeks
you speak English or Spanish fluently

You likely don't qualify if…

you have an uncontrolled seizure disorder
you have cognitive or communication problems that would make it hard to follow directions
you depend on a ventilator to breathe
you have pressure ulcers or other conditions that prevent you from sitting or lying down for extended periods
you have practiced Qigong or Tai Chi regularly (3 or more times per week) in the past 6 months

What participation looks like

You would join either the Qigong group or a comparison group and participate in a 12-week program conducted entirely online from home. If you are in the Qigong group, you would practice along with instructional videos at least 3 times per week and complete regular check-ins with the research team to track your pain levels and progress. The study includes baseline assessments before you start, follow-ups at 6 weeks and 12 weeks, and a final check-in at 1 year to see if the benefits last.

Using Qigong to Reduce Spinal Cord Injury Pain in Diverse Communities

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(3 sites)