Clinical trials · North Carolina
Pain clinical trials in North Carolina
We’re tracking 70 recruiting pain studies with a site in North Carolina — including Early Phase 1, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in North Carolina
- NCT06994442RecruitingPhase 3
Best pain relief for children on a breathing tube
This study tests adding extra pain medicines (acetaminophen or an NSAID) to usual opioid pain treatment for children on a breathing machine. The goal is to find the safest and most effective way to manage pain.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 2 months–17 years - NCT06884865RecruitingPhase 2
Study of an experimental knee injection for osteoarthritis pain
This study tests a new investigational medicine injected into the knee to see if it is safe and tolerable for people with painful knee osteoarthritis. It may help reduce pain and improve knee function.
Morehead City, North CarolinaAges 45–80 - NCT06778447Recruiting
Trial of disc tissue injection for degenerative disc disease
This study tests an experimental treatment that injects donated disc tissue (called an allograft) into damaged discs in your lower back. It's designed for people with chronic low back pain from disc degeneration who haven't found relief from non-surgical treatments.
New Bern, North CarolinaAges 22–85 - NCT06576830RecruitingPhase 4
Pain relief study for kids having tonsil surgery
This study tests different ways to manage pain after tonsillectomy in children. The goal is to find better pain relief options.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 3–17 - NCT06538246Recruiting
Coping skills training for heart and lung failure survivors
This study tests a coping skills training program to help people who recently survived a serious heart or lung problem feel less anxious, depressed, or stressed. If you were in the ICU and now feel distressed at home, you may be able to join.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06271265RecruitingPhase 1
Testing EXPAREL for pain after heart surgery in children
This study tests a long-acting pain medicine (EXPAREL) given during heart surgery to see how it works in young children. The goal is to help control pain after surgery with fewer side effects.
Durham, North CarolinaAges birth–6 years - NCT06228755Enrolling by invitation
Study on group integrative care for chronic pain
This study looks at how well group medical visits that combine different treatments (like mind-body approaches) work for people with chronic pain. It aims to make these visits more available and helpful.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT06077227Recruiting
Virtual reality for phantom limb pain
This study tests whether virtual reality therapy can help reduce phantom limb pain or uncomfortable sensations after amputation. If you have a major limb amputation and feel pain or other sensations in the missing limb, this might be an option to try.
Charlotte, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05991453Recruiting
Recovery after IV vs. inhaled anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery
This trial compares recovery after two types of general anesthesia: one given through an IV (propofol) and one inhaled as a gas. It aims to see which approach leads to a smoother recovery for people having non-cardiac surgery.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05905419Recruiting
Brain scan study of opioid effects in women with pain
This study uses brain imaging (MRI) to understand how opioid medications may affect the brain in women. People with chronic pain who take opioids (or do not) and healthy women without chronic pain may be invited to participate.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05737121RecruitingPhase 2
Study drug for bladder pain compared with lidocaine, heparin, or placebo
This Phase 2 trial tests VNX001 to see if it helps people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) compared with its separate ingredients (lidocaine and heparin) or a placebo (inactive treatment). You may be eligible if you have had IC/BPS for months and recently had a moderate-to-severe bladder pain flare.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05722002RecruitingPhase 4
Compare pain-med plans after low-risk surgery
This study tests which pain-medication plan works best and has the fewest side effects after certain low-risk surgeries. You may be assigned to receive opioid-based, NSAID-based, or acetaminophen-based pain control depending on your situation.
Chapel Hill, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05437575RecruitingPhase 3
Testing pain medicine given before arrival to a trauma center
This study tests whether giving pain medicine soon after an injury (before you reach the trauma center) improves comfort and care. You might be eligible if you’re transported to a participating trauma center and meet specific shock and pain levels.
Charlotte, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT05415384Recruiting
Cryotherapy plus surgery for broken ribs
This trial tests whether adding cryotherapy (freezing treatment to the injury area) to standard surgery for broken, displaced ribs can improve recovery. It’s for adults with multiple broken ribs who are getting a surgical stabilization procedure soon after injury.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18–80 - NCT05149573Recruiting
PEMF therapy for women with painful bladder symptoms
This trial studies whether a device that uses gentle pulsed electromagnetic waves (PEMF) can reduce symptoms in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). It may help if your symptoms are currently fairly severe and ongoing.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18–80 - NCT03876054Recruiting
Tracking outcomes after Abbott neurostimulator implantation
This study follows people long-term after they get an Abbott device implanted to help with chronic pain. It aims to learn how well the therapy works in real-world care over time.
Asheville, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04734106RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Aloe vera for bladder pain and frequent urination
This early-stage study tests whether aloe vera can reduce symptoms of interstitial cystitis, such as bladder pain and frequent urination. You’d help researchers check both safety and symptom relief.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18–80 - NCT04278404Recruiting
Drug safety study for children already on certain medicines
This study measures how certain medicines move through the body and checks their safety in children. It may help doctors better understand dosing and side effects in kids who are already receiving these treatments, or in some kids who recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Durham, North CarolinaAges birth–20 years - NCT03834818Recruiting
Using a phone app to track pain after orthopedic surgery
This study collects information about pain and recovery after planned (elective) orthopedic surgery. It uses a smartphone to help understand outcomes and pain levels so care may improve.
Durham, North CarolinaAges 18–90 - NCT03716167Recruiting
Near-infrared laser for healing and pain in leg vein ulcers
This study tests whether a near-infrared laser can improve healing and reduce pain in chronic venous leg ulcers. If you qualify, you may receive laser treatment and will be checked over time for wound healing and pain levels.
Winston-Salem, North CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT03427736Recruiting
Studying pain and numbing medicines in children
This trial looks at how well different numbing and pain-relief medicines work in children during routine care. It may help doctors choose safer, better pain control for kids who need these medicines.
Durham, North CarolinaAges birth–17 years - NCT01550575Recruiting
Study of outcomes in people treated with Boston Scientific devices
This study looks back at what happened to patients after treatment (or if they could have used) Boston Scientific medical devices. It may help improve how these devices are used and understand real-world results.
Ahoskie, North CarolinaAges 18 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 · 7 studies
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences · 3 studies
- Crystal Coast Pain Management · 2 studies
- Atrium Health and Carolinas Medical Center
- Carolinas Research Institute, PLLC
- Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center
- Duke Orthopaedics
- M3 Wake Research - Wilmington, NC
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.