Clinical trials · California
Chronic pain clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 51 recruiting chronic pain studies with a site in California — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT07119645Recruiting
Collagen supplement for knee discomfort relief
This trial tests whether a daily collagen supplement (NT-II™) can reduce knee discomfort during activities like walking or climbing stairs. You may qualify if you have mild to moderate knee pain during exercise, no arthritis, and are generally healthy.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 20–65 - NCT05700682Recruiting
MRI-guided artery blockage procedure for long-term joint pain
This study tests whether an MRI scan that looks at blood flow can help target a joint embolization procedure to reduce chronic shoulder, hip, or knee pain. It first uses MRI to find signs of increased blood flow, then may use the findings to guide treatment if you qualify.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 25–80 - NCT07494162Recruiting
Acupuncture for chronic low back pain with muscle knots
This trial tests if acupuncture can help chronic low back pain by looking at changes in muscle metabolism and blood flow. It compares real acupuncture with a sham (fake) procedure to see if there is a true benefit.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07507422Recruiting
Post-market study of Inceptiv spinal cord stimulation
This study follows people receiving Inceptiv, a spinal cord stimulator from Medtronic, to see how well it works over time. It is for adults with chronic back or limb pain who have not tried spinal cord stimulation before.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06354699Recruiting
Pain after surgery in children: a long-term study
This study looks at children who have certain types of surgery to understand who might have ongoing pain, what causes it, and how it affects them over time.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges Up to 16 years - NCT04556890Recruiting
Brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain
This study tests a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment, called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to see if it can help people who have both major depression that hasn't improved with medication and chronic pain from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. It aims to reduce both depression and pain symptoms.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT03877653Recruiting
Freedom-1 treatment for long-term knee pain in adults
This study tests a procedure called Freedom-1 to reduce long-term, limiting knee pain from knee arthritis. It may help if other non-surgical options didn’t work and you meet specific knee and health requirements.
Placentia, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06183281Recruiting
Comparing two non-drug approaches for chronic pain
This study compares two different ways to help people manage chronic pain without using medications. Over 12 months, you'll use a smartphone app and learn strategies to feel better and have more control over your pain.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04144972Recruiting
Closed-loop deep brain stimulation for long-lasting nerve pain
This trial tests a “smart” deep brain stimulation device that senses your brain signals and adjusts treatment to reduce severe, long-lasting pain. It may help people whose pain has not improved with multiple pain medicines and surgery cannot fix the cause.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–80 - NCT06327542Recruiting
Group pain management in primary care clinics
This trial tests a group-based program to help people with chronic pain manage their symptoms. It is offered in primary care clinics that serve underinsured communities, and sessions are available in English or Spanish.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07122453RecruitingPhase 1
Study of CNTX-3001 for severe chronic low back pain
This trial tests a medicine called CNTX-3001, given as a spinal injection, for people with long-term, severe low back pain that hasn't improved with other treatments.
Napa, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT05607381Recruiting
Meditation program study for opioid-treated chronic low back pain
This trial studies how meditation may change brain activity and help people with long-lasting low back pain who are already taking prescription opioids. The goal is to understand the “neural” (brain) effects of meditation to improve pain treatment.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06565416Recruiting
Pain & opioid treatment in Native communities
This study is testing better ways to treat pain and opioid use in Native American communities. It may help if you have chronic pain or struggle with opioids.
Arcata, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06980948RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Gene therapy study for nerve pain from small fiber neuropathy
This trial tests a new gene therapy called ST-503 for people with long-lasting nerve pain from small fiber neuropathy that hasn't improved with standard treatments. The study will check if the treatment is safe and tolerable.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07285018RecruitingPhase 2
Study of a new drug for diabetic nerve pain in legs
This trial tests an investigational drug for people with pain caused by nerve damage from diabetes (diabetic peripheral neuropathy). It may help reduce pain in your lower legs if other treatments haven't worked well.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05981573Recruiting
Measuring methadone doses for chronic pain
This trial is for people with chronic pain who take daily methadone. It aims to measure how much methadone is in your body to help doctors find the right dose.
Lemon Grove, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT06919640Enrolling by invitationPhase 1
Psilocybin and brain implant study
This trial tests whether psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) affects brain activity in people who already have a brain-sensing device implanted. It may help researchers understand how psilocybin works in the brain.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 21–75 - NCT05657964Recruiting
Study of a back pain exercise program for chronic low back pain
This trial tests whether a structured exercise/education program can help people with chronic lower back pain. You may qualify if your pain and disability scores are high enough and you can complete study activities in English.
Redwood City, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT03876054Recruiting
Tracking outcomes after Abbott neurostimulator implantation
This study follows people long-term after they get an Abbott device implanted to help with chronic pain. It aims to learn how well the therapy works in real-world care over time.
Larkspur, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04441034RecruitingPhase 4
Compare two medicines for long-term pain in real life
This trial compares two types of medicines—anti-convulsants and anti-depressants—for people with persistent pain lasting more than 3 months. It aims to find out which option works better in everyday care and for which patients.
Redwood City, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT01550575Recruiting
Study of outcomes in people treated with Boston Scientific devices
This study looks back at what happened to patients after treatment (or if they could have used) Boston Scientific medical devices. It may help improve how these devices are used and understand real-world results.
Bakersfield, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06282770Recruiting
Light therapy belt for lower back pain after spine surgery
This trial tests whether a special light therapy belt can help reduce long-term lower back pain you still have 1 to 5 years after spinal fusion or decompression surgery.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–75 - NCT05245695Recruiting
Endometriosis test using deep computer learning during surgery
This trial studies whether a computer (deep neural network) can better identify endometriosis in people with long-lasting pelvic pain using information from surgery. It may help doctors sort who has endometriosis more accurately when surgery is already planned.
Burbank, CaliforniaAges 14–50 - NCT04085406Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for hard-to-treat low back pain
This trial studies deep brain stimulation (DBS) to reduce severe low back pain that hasn’t improved after many standard treatments and procedures. It may help people whose pain is long-lasting and not fixable with another surgery.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 40–75
Chronic pain trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting chronic pain studies listed above.
- California Orthopedics & Spine · 2 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 2 studies
- Alethios Inc.
- Artemis Institute for Clinical Research
- Clinic Site A (blinded pending tribal approval)
- Desert Oasis Healthcare Medical Group
- Foothills Pain Management Clinic
- IPM Medical Group Inc.
What taking part in a chronic pain study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Chronic pain trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there chronic pain clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 51 recruiting chronic pain studies with a site in California, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a chronic pain study in California?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a chronic pain trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New chronic pain studies open in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.