New treatment option for Fibromyalgia
Official title Auricular Neuromodulation in Veterans With Fibromyalgia
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06415591
What this study is testing
- What it's testing
- PENFS (percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation) is an FDA-cleared acupuncture-like therapy applied to the external ear targeting several cranial nerve branches including the auricular branch of the vagus nerve to improve pain, physical function, and reduce symptoms of opioid withdrawal. PENFS has been previously shown to provide improvements in fibromyalgia, a difficult to treat chronic pain syndrome, which correlate with changes observed using a special kind of MRI called resting state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI) that evaluates brain activity at rest.
- You might receive a placebo (an inactive treatment) instead of the study drug, decided by chance. You may not know which one you got.
A plain-language read of the study's public ClinicalTrials.gov listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
Ages 18 and older
You may be able to join if
- Age 18 years or older; for those who participate in the MRI portion, age 20-60 years old (limit specifically set for participants receiving an MRI...
- For those who participate in the MRI portion, right-handedness, to provide consistency in brain structure and function (limit specifically set for...
- For those who participate in the MRI portion, the ability to safely tolerate MRI
- Diagnosis of fibromyalgia by the American College of Rheumatology 2016 criteria69
- Pain score of 4 or greater on DVPRS51 in the 3 months prior to enrollment
You likely can't join if
- Pregnancy (self-reported)
- History of seizures or neurologic conditions that alter the brain
- Claustrophobia, MRI-incompatible implants, or other conditions incompatible with MRI (only for those who participate in MRI)
- History of uncontrolled psychiatric illness, autoimmune disease that leads to pain, or skin conditions that can increase risk of infection at PENFS...
See the full eligibility criteria
- Age 18 years or older; for those who participate in the MRI portion, age 20-60 years old (limit specifically set for participants receiving an MRI scan; limit set to minimize brain structural changes due to aging)
- For those who participate in the MRI portion, right-handedness, to provide consistency in brain structure and function (limit specifically set for participants receiving an MRI scan; limit set to minimize brain...
- For those who participate in the MRI portion, the ability to safely tolerate MRI
- Diagnosis of fibromyalgia by the American College of Rheumatology 2016 criteria69
- Pain score of 4 or greater on DVPRS51 in the 3 months prior to enrollment
- Intact skin in area of PENFS treatment
- Pregnancy (self-reported)
- History of seizures or neurologic conditions that alter the brain
- Claustrophobia, MRI-incompatible implants, or other conditions incompatible with MRI (only for those who participate in MRI)
- History of uncontrolled psychiatric illness, autoimmune disease that leads to pain, or skin conditions that can increase risk of infection at PENFS site
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where it's taking place
- Decatur, Georgia, United States
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 18 years and older. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where is this trial taking place?
Study sites include Decatur, Georgia, United States. Enter your location above to see the nearest site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov; the study team decides eligibility.