Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of Sound Therapy in a Population of Women With Fibromyalgia Aged Between 30 and 60 Years

This study focusing on sound therapy in patients with fibromyalgia is a single-centre, prospective, randomized study which evaluates the improvement or not of painful symptoms following relaxation sessions with sound therapy.

Analgesic Efficacy of Multisite rTMS in Fibromyalgia Patients

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) of the motor cortex is a recognized analgesic technique for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain, which represents a largely unmet medical need. However, the effectiveness of motor cortex rTMS is inconsistent, being observed in only about 40% of patients and not always long-lasting. It has been previously shown that predictive factors for a lack of response to motor cortex rTMS include the presence of depressive symptoms, and that prefrontal cortex rTMS is not effective for pain, even though this treatment has proven efficacy in major depressive disorder. The hypothesis is that targeting both the motor and prefrontal cortices with rTMS will yield a particularly beneficial effect in fibromyalgia patients presenting with comorbid depressive symptoms. Given the absence of established biomarkers for predicting rTMS response, an additional aim will be to develop reliable indicators of rTMS efficacy, based on clinical phenotype and measurements of oscillatory patterns assessed by electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings.

Manual Diaphragmatic Release on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Women With Fibromyalgia

Evaluate the effect of manual diaphragmatic release on exercise capacity, inspiratory muscles strength, symptoms severity, and health-related quality of life in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Adding Neuromodulation Technique to Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Fibromyalgia in Postmenopausal Women

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effect of adding transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to cognitive behavior therapy on fibromyalgia in postmenopausal women. The study aims to answer whether there would be an effect of adding TENS to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and medicines on pain, symptoms, HRV, and QOL in postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia The primary hypothesis is that there would be no effect of adding TENS to CBT and medicines on pain, symptoms, Heart rate variability (HRV), and quality of life (QOL) in postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia. Sixty postmenopausal women with mild to moderate fibromyalgia were allocated to 3 groups: Group A received medical treatment, Group B received medical treatment and CBT, and Group C received the same as B and low TENS. Pain was assessed using the widespread pain index (WPI) and pain pressure threshold (PPT). Fibromyalgia symptoms were evaluated using the symptoms severity index (SSI). Heart rate variability (HRV) and quality of life were assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ).

Empowered Relief for Caregivers

This study is testing a new program called Empowered Relief for Caregivers (ER-CY), designed to support caregivers of children and teens who live with chronic pain. ER-CY is a single two-hour class delivered online. It teaches skills for managing the stress of caring for a child in pain and for responding to a child's pain in helpful ways. Up to 80 caregivers of youth with chronic pain will take part in one ER-CY class and then complete surveys and a short interview over the following three months. The researchers want to learn two things: whether caregivers are willing and able to take part and find the program helpful and satisfying, and whether the program lowers caregiver distress and improves their child's day-to-day functioning. What is learned will help guide future programs and care for youth with chronic pain and their families.

Vestibular Innovation in Pain 2

Fibromyalgia is the most common centralized pain disorder, affecting up to 3% of the population. Current treatments are incompletely effective, often poorly tolerated, and costly: there remains an urgent need for novel, effective, and well-tolerated therapy. Preliminary data suggests that vestibulocortical stimulation (VCS), or irrigating the external ear canal with temperate water, could rapidly improve pain and quality of life in this cohort. The VIPR trial will assess the efficacy of a single session of VCS - a safe \& cost-effective bedside technique using a plastic syringe and temperate water - relative to sham in treating pain \& improving quality of life using validated patient-reported outcomes.

Supraspinal Processing of Sensory Aspects of Pain

The goal of this basic science study is to learn about the brain mechanisms of chronic pain across different chronic pain syndromes in pediatric patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are there shared and distinct brain systems engaged by different forms of pediatric chronic pain? * What are predictors of recovery from chronic pain? * What brain systems are associated with the spread of pain? For this study participants will undergo: * Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) * Quantitative Sensory Testing * Psychological Assessments

Fibromyalgia Sleep A to ZZZ Study

This research study is testing whether changes in sleep timing and morning light therapy may have an impact on symptoms related to fibromyalgia.

Effect of Reflexology on Pain and Sleep Disorders in Females With Fibromyalgia

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on pain and sleep disorders in Egyptian female patients with fibromyalgia. Sixty female participants aged 18 to 65 years diagnosed with fibromyalgia will be randomly assigned into two equal groups. The control group will receive conventional physical therapy, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), while the experimental group will receive the same treatment in addition to foot reflexology. Interventions will be delivered twice weekly for six weeks. Pain, sleep quality, psychological distress, and functional activity will be evaluated at baseline and after treatment using validated Arabic assessment tools and pressure pain threshold measurements. The study aims to determine whether reflexology provides additional benefits when combined with conventional physical therapy in women with fibromyalgia.

Neurophysiology of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome associated with fatigue and chronic pain, leading to significant physical limitations and impaired quality of life. There are several challenges that complicate the diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia. The etiology is not well defined, as there are several proposed factors that may trigger the genesis of pain in fibromyalgia including physical and/or emotional life stressors, and genetic predispositions involving neuromodulator pathways. Chronic pain in fibromyalgia arises in the absence of tissue pathology, and consequently a lack of consensus on reliable diagnostic criteria. Understanding the neurophysiology of fibromyalgia would aid in the discovery of objective biomarkers for diagnosis. Therefore, the goals of this study are to: 1. Compare the neurophysiological responses in fibromyalgia compared to healthy controls. 2. Determine whether a two-week cTMS protocol will alter pain in individuals with fibromyalgia.

Pain & Reward Neuromodulation of CNS Circuits

This pilot feasibility study aims to evaluate transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the prefrontal cortex in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The study will assess preliminary efficacy and mechanisms of central nervous system changes using neuroimaging, behavioral tasks, sensory testing, and neuroimmune markers. Participants will undergo MRI scans, multi-day TMS sessions, and complete questionnaires. The goal is to generate pilot data for future trials on neuromodulation for chronic pain.

Hyperthermia in Patients With Chronic Primary Pain - Effects on Thermoregulation, Somatosensory System and Movement Evoked Pain

This study, in a quasi-experimental matched two-group pre-post design, investigates the effect of serial water-filtered whole-body hyperthermia on circadian core body temperature, the somatosensory system (nociception) and the movement evoked pain in healthy and patients with chronic primary pain (e.g., fibromyalgia). The intervention lasts 3 weeks with two treatment sessions per week.

Tracking Peripheral Immune Cell Infiltration of the Brain in Central Inflammatory Disorders Using [Zr-89]Oxinate-4-labeled Leukocytes.

This study will use brain Positron Emission Tomography/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) and an investigational radioactive drug called \[Zr-89\]oxine to track the location of white blood cells (also called leukocytes) in the body. PET/MRI will be used to visualize labeled white blood cells and determine if they enter the central nervous system in conditions associated with brain inflammation (also called neuroinflammation). By better understanding the role of neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis, the investigator hopes to be able to better diagnose and treat patients in the future.

The Clinical Impact of Integrated Behavioral Health Techniques in Patients With Fibromyalgia

The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of using Lin Health to provide virtual long-term follow up care for patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Assessment of Neuroinflammation in Central Inflammatory Disorders Using [F-18]DPA-714.

The primary objective of this study is to measure the concentration and the regional brain distribution of activated brain microglia/macrophages using the PET radiopharmaceutical \[F-18\]DPA-714 in individuals with chronic pain and fatigue suspected to be associated with neuroinflammation. The PET tracer \[F-18\]DPA-714 binds to the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO, also known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) in the mitochondria of activated microglia/macrophages and provides a non-invasive measure of neuroinflammation. The primary objective of this study is to determine if pain and fatigue patients have higher levels of neuroinflammation than HC individuals as measured with \[F-18\]DPA-714-PET/MRI.

Ultrasonic Neuromodulation of Cingulate Cortex for Fibromyalgia

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate a new noninvasive brain stimulation intervention for fibromyalgia and to determine its effectiveness in reducing pain. Participants will receive four treatments over the course of one month and will complete surveys at multiple time points throughout the 16-week study.

The Role of Resilience for Physical Functioning of Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome Using the 6-Min Walk Test

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent chronic pain disorder, characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue that is associated with significant functional limitations. Its mechanisms are only partially understood. The investigators hypothesize that physical functioning (as measured by the 6-Min Walk Test) of FM patients and healthy controls is negatively influenced by resilience and pain sensitivity. The investigators will perform a case control study to test our hypothesis within and between groups.

Auricular Neuromodulation in Veterans With Fibromyalgia

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. The goals of this study are to rigorously test the initial promising results of PENFS in a much larger group of Veterans suffering from fibromyalgia and to identify potential mechanisms of PENFS effects. Further developing non-pharmacologic therapies for pain can help to improve quality of life and function for those suffering from fibromyalgia and decrease reliance on opioids and other drugs that have numerous side effects for individuals suffering from chronic pain.

Nitrous Oxide as Treatment for Fibromyalgia

The purpose of this study is to explore a potential role of nitrous oxide in treating pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Effectiveness of Oral Magnesium Supplementation in Fibromyalgia Patients Not Responding to Standard Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a complex widespread pain disorder. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of oral magnesium supplementation in reducing symptom severity among fibromyalgia patients who have not responded to standard treatment, using validated scoring systems such as the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR).

Neural Mechanisms of Light Driven Analgesia

The goal of this study will be to understand the biological mechanisms that are responsible to light-driven analgesia. Light presented to the retina has been shown to have pain relieving properties in pre-clinical and clinical studies. In this study the investigators will evaluate the functional connectivity between subcortical visual areas and non-image forming brain areas that are involved in pain sensation. The investigators will also evaluate how three colored light stimuli presented to the retina results in changes in whole brain evoked activation patterns in participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain and in healthy controls. The investigators will also assess while brain evoked activation patterns in response to a pressure pain stimulus in the presence of three light stimuli in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain and healthy controls.

A Study of Digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia in Fibromyalgia

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the potential benefits of a digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (dCBT-I) platform, Sleepio, in individuals suffering from fibromyalgia, a condition commonly associated with cognitive issues and sleep disorders. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does the application of Sleepio improve quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia? * Does the use of Sleepio improve cognitive function in individuals with fibromyalgia? * Does the use of Sleepio enhance sleep quality in these same individuals? * Does the use of Sleepio improve motor function in this group? Participants will be randomly assigned to either use the Sleepio platform or standardised health advice, including sleep hygiene material. Those assigned to Sleepio will undergo a series of six 20-minute sessions over 10 weeks with a virtual therapist focusing on cognitive and behavioural strategies for improving sleep. Participants' quality of life, cognitive function, sleep quality, and pain levels will be monitored and evaluated using online assessment tools. Additionally, a subset of participants will undergo further testing via sleep actigraphy and/or neuroimaging with MRI scans. Researchers will compare the two groups to determine if the use of Sleepio has a positive effect on quality of life, cognitive function, and sleep quality.

Brief Pain Exposure Therapy (BPET) For Nociplastic Pain

This study is intended to test whether a brief Zoom-based behavioral treatment can help adults with fibromyalgia (FM), Lupus, chronic pelvic pain, and chronic low back pain learn effective strategies for reducing pain, disability and other problems that can come with fibromyalgia, Lupus, chronic pelvic pain, and chronic low back pain (such as depression or anxiety).

The Efficacy and Safety of Short Term S-ketamine Infusion as an Adjunctive Therapy in Patients With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome where current medications have limited efficacy and a slow onset of action. Esketamine shows potential as a rapid-acting analgesic, but previous low-dose studies failed to demonstrate long-term benefits. The efficacy of higher-dose ESK as an adjunctive therapy when standard treatments are insufficient remains unclear.