Clinical trials · California
Pain clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 185 recruiting pain studies with a site in California — including Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT07231419RecruitingPhase 3
Study of suzetrigine for diabetic nerve pain
This trial tests an experimental pain drug called suzetrigine for people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage from diabetes that causes pain in the feet and legs). It aims to see if the drug can safely reduce pain over time.
Canoga Park, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT07226258RecruitingPhase 3
Testing SL1002 for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis
This trial tests a study drug called SL1002 to see if it reduces knee pain from osteoarthritis. It may be an option for people with chronic knee pain who haven't found enough relief from current treatments.
Roseville, CaliforniaAges 40 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+ - NCT06661850Recruiting
Using Nociscan to guide discogenic low back pain surgery
This trial tests whether using a tool called Nociscan helps improve outcomes in people having surgery for low back pain caused by damaged discs. It may help doctors decide which discs need treatment.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT06566664Enrolling by invitation
Nerve stimulation to help with arm surgery nerve blocks
This study tests if using a small electrical stimulator on the skin can make a nerve block work better for arm surgery. If you are having planned arm surgery and getting a nerve block, you may be able to join.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07693270Recruiting
Study looking for markers of pain and opioid response after injury or surgery
This study is looking for biological markers (like blood tests) that can predict how people will respond to pain and opioids after a traumatic injury or surgery. The goal is to help doctors tailor pain treatment to each person.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT03858205Recruiting
Low-dose radiation to relieve pain from bone tumors
This trial studies whether low-dose radiation can reduce pain from a specific bone lesion caused by multiple myeloma. It may help people whose main problem is painful bone metastasis, with targeted treatment to the painful spot.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - NCT04109638Recruiting
PEMF therapy to reduce pain after shoulder or knee surgery
This trial studies whether PEMF, a type of non-surgical device that uses pulsed electromagnetic fields, can reduce pain after shoulder or knee surgery. If you join, you’ll also be expected to do post-surgery physical therapy exercises and report your pain and function.
Redwood City, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04166877RecruitingPhase 4
Magnesium drip to reduce pain in ICU trauma patients
This trial tests whether a magnesium infusion can better control pain in adults who have serious injuries and need intensive care. It compares magnesium as part of pain treatment to standard pain care to see if pain improves and stays controlled.
Sacramento, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04546685Recruiting
Spanish online group program to help manage long-term pain
This trial tests a one-time, Spanish-language online group program (“Empowered Relief”) for people with long-term pain. It may help you learn coping skills and strategies to reduce the impact of chronic pain.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04860141RecruitingPhase 4
Gabapentin before wisdom tooth removal to reduce pain
This trial tests whether taking gabapentin before extracting a wisdom tooth helps with pain and comfort after the procedure. It may help people who need a third-molar removal, if they meet the safety and health requirements.
Loma Linda, CaliforniaAges 18–59 - 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 - NCT05010148RecruitingPhase 3
IV lidocaine after spinal fusion to reduce delirium and pain
This trial tests whether giving lidocaine through a vein after elective spinal fusion surgery can help prevent confusion (delirium) and reduce pain. It may help people recover more comfortably and think more clearly after surgery.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 60 years+ - NCT05023005Recruiting
Strain-Counterstrain therapy for piriformis muscle pain
This trial tests a hands-on physical therapy technique called “strain-counterstrain” to reduce pain from the piriformis muscle. It may help people whose pain is coming from that specific muscle rather than the low back.
Loma Linda, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT05266040RecruitingPhase 2
Valacyclovir to reduce pain from infected tooth abscess
This Phase 2 study tests whether valacyclovir, an antiviral medicine, can help reduce moderate-to-severe pain from an acute infected tooth abscess. Participants also receive standard dental treatment, and the study looks at whether the added medicine helps with pain.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT05278494Recruiting
Dextromethorphan to reduce pain after knee replacement
This trial studies whether dextromethorphan (a medicine sometimes used for cough) can reduce pain after total knee replacement surgery. If you’re having this operation and meet safety criteria, it may help improve how you feel during recovery.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05324254Recruiting
Weighted blankets to help after breast surgery pain
This study tests whether sleeping with a weighted blanket can reduce pain after breast surgery. You may use a smartphone app to quickly report how your pain and comfort feel over time for up to 3 months.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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 - 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 - NCT06004804Recruiting
Video group therapy for chronic pain in older Veterans
This study tests whether group therapy sessions held over video can help older Veterans manage chronic muscle or joint pain. It focuses on teaching practical skills to reduce pain and improve quality of life.
West Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 60–95 - NCT06020677Recruiting
Latinx children and surgery study
This study looks at how Latinx families manage their child's pain after outpatient surgery. It aims to improve care for Spanish-speaking families.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 2–7 - NCT06189781RecruitingPhase 4
Pain shot vs epidural for hip surgery in kids with cerebral palsy
This study compares a pain injection to epidural anesthesia for children with cerebral palsy having hip surgery. The goal is to see which method provides better pain control during and after the procedure.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges Up to 18 years - NCT06273462RecruitingPhase 2
Testing PEA for Chronic Inflammatory Pain
This study tests a natural supplement called palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) to see if it can help people with long-term inflammatory pain that hasn't gotten better with other treatments.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges Any age
Pain trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting pain studies listed above.
- Loma Linda University Health · 2 studies
- University of California San Diego Health · 2 studies
- University of California, San Francisco · 2 studies
- 1070 Arastradero Rd
- Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute
- Artemis Institute for Clinical Research
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Children's Hospital of Orange County
What taking part in a 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.
Pain trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there pain clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 185 recruiting 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 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 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 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.