Clinical trials · North Carolina
Pain clinical trials in North Carolina
We’re tracking 70 recruiting pain studies with a site in North Carolina — including Phase 1/Phase 2, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in North Carolina
- 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+ - 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 - NCT07278804Recruiting
Pain control options for IUD insertion
This study tests different pain control choices during IUD placement. It may help you find what works best for your comfort.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18–50 - 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 - NCT06854718Recruiting
Pain Management Study for People with Dementia
This study tests a new approach to help people with dementia who have chronic pain. It looks at how caregivers can support pain management at home.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 50 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+ - 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 - NCT05986292RecruitingPhase 2
Study of new pain treatments for chronic pain
This study tests new treatments for people with chronic pain that has lasted at least 12 weeks. It aims to find better ways to reduce pain and improve quality of life.
Greensboro, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - 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+ - 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+ - 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+ - NCT07509671Recruiting
Can a diet help painful diabetic nerve pain?
This study tests whether a special diet can help reduce pain caused by nerve damage from Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. You may qualify if you have painful diabetic neuropathy and are looking for a non-medication approach.
Hendersonville, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06495632RecruitingPhase 4
Scheduled or as-needed pain medicine after surgery?
This study compares taking pain medicine on a fixed schedule versus only when you need it after common outpatient surgeries. It aims to find which approach works better for controlling pain and reducing side effects.
Fayetteville, North CarolinaAges 18–65 - NCT07300995Recruiting
Pain coping skills for older women with breast cancer
This study tests a behavioral program to help older women with breast cancer learn skills to cope with pain. The program is done through video or phone sessions.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 55 years+ - NCT07245303Recruiting
How Light Affects Pain in Chronic Pain
This study looks at how different kinds of light might change pain levels in people with chronic widespread pain, like fibromyalgia. By using brain scans (MRI), researchers hope to find new ways to manage pain without medication.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - 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.
Morehead City, North CarolinaAges 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.
Charlotte, North CarolinaAges 40 years+ - 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 - 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+ - NCT06956508Enrolling by invitation
VR therapy to prevent phantom limb pain after amputation
This study tests whether using virtual reality (VR) daily in the hospital after a major amputation can help prevent phantom limb pain. You'll use a VR headset to do simple exercises that may keep your brain from sending pain signals to the missing limb.
Charlotte, North CarolinaAges 13 years+ - NCT06962306RecruitingPhase 4
Pain relief study for children having cleft palate surgery
This trial tests different ways to manage pain after cleft palate repair in young children. The goal is to find which approach works best to lower pain and improve recovery.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 6 months–4 years - NCT06853327Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Ketorolac for pain during IUD insertion
This study tests if a pain-relief medicine, ketorolac, helps reduce pain when getting an IUD placed. It might be an option if you are planning to have an IUD inserted.
Hillsborough, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06517056Recruiting
3D Knee Assessment for Active Duty Knee Pain
This trial tests a 3D camera device that measures how your knee moves. It may help find the best way to treat your front-of-knee pain and keep you mission-ready.
Fort Liberty, North CarolinaAges 18–50 - 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+
Pain trials by city in North Carolina
Where these studies are running in North Carolina
Institutions with a site for the recruiting pain studies listed above.
- Duke University Medical Center · 4 studies
- AdventHealth Hendersonville
- Ambulatory Care Center
- Asheville Clinical Research
- Asheville VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
- Duke Cancer Network
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 North Carolina?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 70 recruiting 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 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 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 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.