Clinical trials · California
Pain clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 185 recruiting pain studies with a site in California — including Phase 1, Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2 and Phase 2/Phase 3 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- 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 - 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+ - 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 - NCT06361485RecruitingPhase 1
Umbilical cord injection for chronic low back pain
This study tests whether a special injection made from umbilical cord tissue is safe and can help with long-term low back pain. It is for adults who have not had recent back procedures or certain health problems.
Beverly Hills, CaliforniaAges 20 years+ - NCT06374238Recruiting
Peer Support for Young People with Sickle Cell Pain
This study is testing a peer support program for teens and young adults (ages 16–30) with sickle cell disease who have chronic pain. You'll connect with a trained peer supporter through your smartphone to learn pain coping skills and get support.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 16–30 - NCT06394830RecruitingPhase 2
Testing VNX001 for bladder pain syndrome
This study tests a new treatment (VNX001) for people with interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). You must have already taken part in an earlier study of this drug to join. The goal is to see if it safely reduces bladder pain.
Fresno, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06421350Recruiting
Closed-loop spinal cord stimulation for complex regional pain syndrome
This trial tests a new type of spinal cord stimulator that automatically adjusts to your pain signals. It may help people with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) who have not tried this kind of therapy before.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06559735Recruiting
Brain oxygen measurement in chronic pain with spinal cord stimulation
This trial tests a new device to measure oxygen levels in the brain of people with chronic pain who are receiving spinal cord stimulation. It aims to see if brain oxygen changes can help manage pain better.
Walnut Creek, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - NCT06573996Recruiting
Testing a mouth TENS device for braces pain
This trial tests if a small device placed inside the mouth can ease pain from braces. You'll receive either real or fake treatment with the TENS device to see if it helps with soreness after adjustments.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 12 years+ - NCT07605546Recruiting
Radiation Therapy for Cancer Pain Relief
This trial tests whether a focused radiation treatment called SRS (stereotactic radiosurgery) can help relieve severe cancer pain that hasn't improved with strong pain medications. You would receive a one-time radiation procedure aimed at pain-causing areas in your brain.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06665204Recruiting
Knee pain treatment study for active military
This study tests whether following a standard treatment guide helps active-duty service members with kneecap pain feel better. You would receive physical therapy and be monitored for a few weeks.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06728579RecruitingPhase 2
Group therapy for joint pain in breast cancer survivors
This study tests two supportive group programs—one using mindfulness skills, the other providing supportive talk therapy—to help breast cancer survivors manage joint pain caused by hormone-blocking pills. If you have ongoing joint pain and are taking an aromatase inhibitor, you may be able to join a free, video-based group.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06960317Recruiting
Numbing injection for IUD placement pain
This study tests whether a numbing injection (lidocaine) in the cervix can reduce pain during IUD placement. It's for women who have never had a vaginal birth and are getting their first IUD.
La Jolla, CaliforniaAges 18–50 - 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+ - 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 - NCT07122843Recruiting
VR and AI meditation for hospital pain relief
This study tests if a virtual reality (VR) meditation program can help reduce pain in hospitalized patients. If you have at least moderate pain (4 out of 10 or higher) and can speak English or Spanish, you may be able to join.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07130812Recruiting
Blood flow restriction training for rowers with back pain
This study tests whether a special training technique called blood flow restriction can help rowers aged 13-20 with mild or recurring back pain. It involves wearing bands on your legs while rowing, which may help you build strength and recover while reducing pain.
Loma Linda, CaliforniaAges 13–20 - NCT07181447Recruiting
Light test for muscle-based pelvic pain
This study uses a light device on the skin to detect muscle trigger points in women with long-term pelvic pain. The goal is to see if near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can help diagnose myofascial pelvic pain more easily.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07276542RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Ketamine for phantom limb pain: a six-month outpatient study
This study tests whether ketamine, given as an outpatient treatment, can reduce phantom limb pain over six months. You would come to a clinic for multiple ketamine sessions, with at least a week between each session, and be followed for a year.
San Anselmo, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT07301177Recruiting
Magnetic stimulation for veterans with nerve pain after injury
This study tests whether a non-invasive magnetic stimulation treatment can help veterans with long-term nerve pain after an injury or surgery. It may offer a drug-free option to reduce pain and improve quality of life.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT07310004Recruiting
VR vs Music for Breast Biopsy Anxiety
This trial compares using a virtual reality headset versus listening to relaxing music to help lower your anxiety and pain during a breast biopsy. Both methods are non-drug ways to help you feel more comfortable during the procedure.
Los Angeles, 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 - NCT07335913RecruitingPhase 1
Testing SBS-147 in healthy adults for safety
This study tests a new drug, SBS-147, in healthy adults to see if it's safe and how the body processes it. It may help find the right dose for future studies in people with certain conditions.
Cypress, CaliforniaAges 18–55
Pain trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting pain studies listed above.
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) · 3 studies
- University of California San Diego Health · 2 studies
- Altasciences Clinical Los Angeles, Inc.
- Boomerang Healthcare
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Clinic Site A (blinded pending tribal approval)
- Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
- Ketamine Research Foundation
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.