Clinical trials · North Carolina
Chronic pain clinical trials in North Carolina
We’re tracking 25 recruiting chronic pain studies with a site in North Carolina — including Early Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in North Carolina
- NCT06747871Recruiting
Opioids, low nicotine cigarettes, and chronic pain study
This study tests if using cigarettes with very low nicotine can help people with chronic pain who are on buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. It aims to see if this approach reduces smoking and helps you think about quitting.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 21 years+ - NCT07318519Recruiting
Virtual reality for chronic cancer pain
This study tests whether virtual reality (VR) can help reduce chronic pain in people with cancer. If you have had cancer pain for at least three months and rate your pain as 4 or more out of 10, you may be able to join.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06407115Enrolling by invitation
Pain care support for rural patients
This study tests a nurse-led program to help people living in rural areas manage chronic pain. You'll work with a care manager who can support your pain treatment goals.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05986292RecruitingPhase 2
Study of new treatments for chronic pain
This study tests new treatments for chronic pain that lasts at least 3 months. Participants must stop their regular pain medicines and use only a rescue painkiller if needed. The goal is to find better ways to manage long-term pain.
Greensboro, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06168058Recruiting
Pelvic vein embolization for chronic pelvic pain
This trial tests if blocking enlarged veins in the pelvis (called embolization) can reduce long-term pelvic pain that hasn't improved with other treatments. It may help women whose pain is worse when standing or walking and better when lying down.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18–75 - NCT06983678Recruiting
Quitting smoking and pain sensitivity study
This study looks at how quitting smoking affects pain sensitivity in people who smoke, especially those with chronic low back pain. Researchers will use brain scans and daily surveys to understand these changes.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 21–65 - NCT06477965Recruiting
Registry for artery embolization to treat chronic pain
This is a registry study that gathers information from people who have had an artery embolization procedure to treat long-term pain from conditions such as arthritis. The goal is to track outcomes and better understand the procedure's effectiveness.
Cary, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06027099RecruitingPhase 3
Testing tizanidine to help reduce opioids after surgery
This study tests whether adding a low-dose muscle relaxant (tizanidine) to your pain plan after surgery can help you safely lower your opioid use. It's for people who have been on long-term opioids and are having surgery at specific hospitals.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18–75 - NCT07095036Recruiting
Spinal cord stimulation and sensation study
This study looks at how a spinal cord stimulator affects your sense of touch and movement. It may help doctors better understand how this device works for people with chronic pain.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18–85 - NCT04142177Recruiting
Test which pain treatments work best for chronic low back pain
This study compares how well different pain treatments reduce low back pain and improve daily life. You may be asked to start or continue care through the VA and attend in-person sessions while completing pain and activity questionnaires.
Asheville, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06827262Recruiting
A procedure for vertebrogenic back pain relief
This trial tests a minimally invasive procedure that uses a special device to target and treat nerve-related back pain coming from the vertebrae (the bones in your spine). It may offer lasting relief without more major surgery.
Bermuda Run, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05669027Recruiting
Mobile brain training to help low back pain
This study tests whether mobile “neurofeedback” training can reduce low back pain and improve how much it affects your daily life. You would likely use sensors that measure brain and body signals to guide the training.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18–90 - 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.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges Up to 16 years - NCT06623669RecruitingPhase 2
Mobile program to reduce pain and improve health in older adults
This trial tests a mobile program to help reduce pain and improve health in older adults with knee or hip arthritis who are not very active. The program involves exercise and may help with weight management.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 65 years+ - NCT06139510Recruiting
Understanding Pain in Sickle Cell Disease
This study looks at what causes pain in people with sickle cell disease. They hope to learn more about pain patterns to better help patients manage it.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 15–40 - NCT07525063Enrolling by invitation
Brain Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain Relief
This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique (called TMS) can help reduce pain and improve mood in women with fibromyalgia. Researchers will use MRI scans and brain stimulation to understand how pain and reward circuits in the brain work.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 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.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Asheville, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04427709RecruitingPhase 2
Testing a brain-activity measure using oxytocin and eye movements
This study tests whether a particular brain-activity signal—seen in small rhythmic eye movements—can be measured reliably. It also looks at how oxytocin (a hormone used in medical settings) affects that signal.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18–75 - NCT05905419Recruiting
Brain scan study of opioid effects in women with pain
This study uses brain imaging (MRI) to understand how opioid medications may affect the brain in women. People with chronic pain who take opioids (or do not) and healthy women without chronic pain may be invited to participate.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 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.
Ahoskie, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06228755Enrolling by invitation
Study on group integrative care for chronic pain
This study looks at how well group medical visits that combine different treatments (like mind-body approaches) work for people with chronic pain. It aims to make these visits more available and helpful.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04734106RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Aloe vera for bladder pain and frequent urination
This early-stage study tests whether aloe vera can reduce symptoms of interstitial cystitis, such as bladder pain and frequent urination. You’d help researchers check both safety and symptom relief.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18–80 - NCT05149573Recruiting
PEMF therapy for women with painful bladder symptoms
This trial studies whether a device that uses gentle pulsed electromagnetic waves (PEMF) can reduce symptoms in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). It may help if your symptoms are currently fairly severe and ongoing.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18–80
Chronic pain trials by city in North Carolina
Where these studies are running in North Carolina
Institutions with a site for the recruiting chronic pain studies listed above.
- Duke University Medical Center · 5 studies
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (Wake Forest Baptist) · 4 studies
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences · 3 studies
- Duke North Pavilion · 2 studies
- UNC School of Medicine · 2 studies
- Ambulatory Care Center
- Asheville VA Medical Center
- Carolinas Research Institute, PLLC
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 North Carolina?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 25 recruiting chronic pain studies with a site in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina?
- 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 North Carolina to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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.