Clinical trials · California
Pain clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 177 recruiting pain studies with a site in California — including Phase 2, Phase 2/Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT06377969Recruiting
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pelvic pain
This study tests a device called a spinal cord stimulator — a small implant that sends mild electrical pulses to nerves in your spine — to see if it can reduce long-term pelvic pain that hasn't gotten better with other treatments.
Redwood City, 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 - 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+ - NCT06310226Recruiting
Studying spinal cord stimulation for chronic low back pain
This study is looking at how people with chronic low back pain respond to spinal cord stimulation (a device that sends gentle electrical pulses to the spine to reduce pain). If you already have a spinal cord stimulator, you may help researchers understand how well it works and how it affects your brain.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - 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 - NCT04658628Recruiting
Brain scan study to learn who responds to spinal cord stimulation
This trial uses brain imaging to understand which people with long-lasting low back pain are more likely to benefit from spinal cord stimulation (SCS). If you’re being considered for an SCS trial, the scans may help researchers predict response and improve future care.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 21 years+ - NCT06185816RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Non-invasive pulsed radiofrequency for nerve pain
This trial tests a non-invasive treatment called pulsed radiofrequency for people with chronic nerve pain after an injury. It uses a device that sends short bursts of energy to the painful area to help reduce pain without surgery.
Redwood City, 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+ - NCT06004804Recruiting
Psychological treatments for chronic pain in veterans
This study compares two group psychological treatments for chronic pain delivered over video conference. It aims to see if these treatments help reduce pain and improve quality of life for veterans.
West Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 60–95 - NCT06025201Recruiting
Brain activity markers for chronic low back pain
This study uses a safe, non-invasive cap with sensors (EEG) to measure your brain activity and look for patterns linked to chronic low back pain. It aims to better understand pain so doctors can improve treatments.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT06020677Recruiting
Study on Latinx children's pain after surgery
This study looks at how parents manage their child's pain after surgery, focusing on Latinx families who speak Spanish at home. By understanding these experiences, doctors hope to improve pain care for children.
Orange, CaliforniaAges 2–12 - 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+ - 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 - NCT05477004Enrolling by invitation
Study of ketamine infusions for ongoing chronic pain
This study is observing people with chronic pain who are getting ketamine infusions at Stanford. You may help by completing email surveys about how you feel, which can help the team understand the treatment’s impact.
Stanford, 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+ - NCT05354869Recruiting
Electrical stimulation therapy for pelvic floor muscle pain
This trial tests a treatment that uses gentle electrical stimulation through the vagina to reduce long-term pelvic pain caused by tight pelvic floor muscles. You might join if your pain has lasted over 6 months and exam shows specific muscle “trigger points.”
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - 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+ - NCT05285007Recruiting
Study tests whether limited ankle motion affects knee squats
This study looks at people with patellofemoral pain (kneecap pain) to see how limited ankle movement may affect how your knee works during single-leg squats. It may help clinicians better understand what to focus on for treatment.
Loma Linda, CaliforniaAges 18–59 - NCT05265000Recruiting
Skin electrical stimulation for chronic low back pain
This study tests whether a gentle electrical treatment placed on the skin near the spine can reduce chronic low back pain. If you qualify, you’ll try the stimulation and complete several assessments over a day, so the team can measure any pain and function changes.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 21–85 - 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+ - 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 - 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 - 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 - NCT04676802RecruitingPhase 2
Pain relief after thumb joint surgery: ibuprofen and acetaminophen versus oxycodone
This study compares two ways to manage pain after thumb joint removal surgery: one using over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen and acetaminophen) and the other using a prescription opioid (oxycodone). The goal is to see if the non-opioid option works just as well with fewer side effects.
Redwood City, CaliforniaAges 45 years+
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, Los Angeles · 2 studies
- 1070 Arastradero Rd
- Actri, Ucsd
- Children's Hospital of Orange County
- Keck School of Medicine of USC
- Loma Linda University
- Peter H Hwang
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 177 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.