Clinical trials · California
Headache clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 10 recruiting headache studies with a site in California — including Phase 2 and Phase 2/Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT05176392Recruiting
Stimulation treatment plus therapy for post-injury headaches
This study tests whether a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment combined with therapy can reduce long-lasting headaches after a mild brain injury. You might be a good candidate if your headaches started after the injury and have continued for months.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT05889624Recruiting
Study of treatments for childhood migraine headaches
This study looks at ways to help children and teens with migraine headaches by testing a care approach that includes access to evidence-based treatment. It may help if your child has frequent migraine headaches and is starting (or not already on) certain migraine-preventive medicines.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 10–17 - NCT05620719Recruiting
Study delayed headache after head injury in veterans
This study looks at treatment for ongoing headache that starts or gets worse after a mild or moderate head/neck injury in veterans or active-duty service members. It may help by testing an approach aimed at reducing headache burden and improving daily functioning.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT03231241Recruiting
Study of worsening headaches using scans and blood testing
This study looks at why headaches can become long-lasting (“chronified”) by combining answers from online questionnaires, brain imaging, and blood protein tests. Your participation may help researchers find biological clues that could improve how headache problems are understood and treated.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06621329RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Numbing shot for headache after brain bleed
This trial tests a numbing injection inside the nose to quickly relieve severe headaches caused by a brain bleed (subarachnoid hemorrhage). It may help reduce pain without strong medicines.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18–100 - NCT07054801RecruitingPhase 2
Testing lidocaine and steroids for headache after bleeding stroke
This study tests whether giving two medicines (lidocaine and methylprednisolone) directly into the artery during a routine brain vessel procedure can help relieve headaches caused by a bleeding stroke. It may help find a new treatment for this type of headache.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07325513Recruiting
Brain stimulation for Gulf War-related pain
This study tests whether a type of brain stimulation (repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS) can help reduce headaches and body pain in veterans with Gulf War Illness. If you are a Gulf War veteran with ongoing moderate-to-severe pain, this trial could help find a new way to manage your symptoms.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06583395Enrolling by invitation
Meditation retreat study with fitness tracker
This trial studies people attending a 7-day meditation retreat to see how meditation affects well-being. You will wear a fitness tracker and answer surveys.
Palm Desert, CaliforniaAges 21 years+ - NCT04930887RecruitingPhase 2
Numbing injection in the face to ease craniofacial pain
This trial tests whether an injection of a numbing medicine (bupivacaine) guided by an endoscope can reduce craniofacial pain. It may help people with certain headache or facial pain conditions by targeting the pain area more precisely.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT06073886RecruitingPhase 2
Better brain stimulation for long-lasting concussion symptoms
This trial tests whether personalized brain stimulation can help people who have ongoing symptoms more than 20 on a standard concussion scale, such as headaches, dizziness, or trouble concentrating, after a mild head injury in the past year.
Westwood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting headache studies listed above.
- University of California, San Francisco · 2 studies
- Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- Peter H Hwang
- Stanford University
- UCLA
- University of California, Davis Medical Center
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System
What taking part in a headache 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.
Headache trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there headache clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 10 recruiting headache 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 headache 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 headache 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 headache 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.