Clinical trials
Refractory Pain clinical trials
Below are recruiting refractory pain clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 20 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT07489625RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Electroacupuncture and ear acupressure for cancer pain
This study tests whether adding electroacupuncture (a treatment using mild electric pulses on needles) and ear acupressure (pressing on specific points on the ear) to the pain medicine hydromorphone helps reduce cancer-related pain that isn't well managed by usual treatments.
XiningAges 18–80 - NCT05417737Recruiting
Ozone therapy for chronic pain when standard treatments fail
This study offers a palliative (comfort-focused) ozone treatment to adults with chronic pain when usual treatments don’t work or are too risky. Researchers will check whether adding ozone can help symptoms and whether it’s safe for selected patients.
Las Palmas, Las PalmasAges 18 years+ - NCT07408193RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Lidocaine and ketamine for severe cancer pain not helped by opioids
This trial tests if adding lidocaine and ketamine to your current pain medicines can better control severe cancer-related pain that opioids alone haven't helped.
Athens, AtticaAges 18 years+ - NCT06596681RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Study of GA for hard-to-treat nerve pain
This early-phase trial tests a new treatment called GA for people with hard-to-treat neuropathic pain that hasn't improved with standard therapies. The goal is to see if it is safe and tolerable.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–65 - NCT05398003Recruiting
Stimulating nerves to treat long-lasting neck and arm pain
This trial tests whether a nerve-stimulation treatment can reduce chronic neck and upper arm pain when other treatments haven’t worked. It includes adults who can consent and attend follow-up visits, and it checks for safety with pregnancy prevention and a specific early test after implantation.
NantesAges 18–85 - NCT07691840Recruiting
Intrathecal therapy vs. standard care for severe cancer pain
This trial compares a treatment that delivers pain medicine directly to the spinal cord (intrathecal therapy) with usual pain control. It is for people with severe cancer pain that is not helped by oral or intravenous opioids.
JetteAges 18 years+ - NCT06779578Recruiting
Comparing two types of radiofrequency for trigeminal neuralgia
This study compares two treatments (bipolar vs monopolar pulsed radiofrequency) for people with trigeminal neuralgia that hasn't improved with medication. It aims to see which method provides better pain relief.
AlexandriaAges Any age - NCT03415828Recruiting
Testing ethanol gel versus steroid gel for low back disc pain
This study compares two gels put on or into the painful disc area: an ethanol gel versus a steroid gel. It is for adults with long-lasting low back disc pain that did not improve with usual non-surgical care.
BordeauxAges 18 years+ - NCT07154056Recruiting
Spinal cord stimulation for stubborn nerve pain
This trial tests a new type of spinal cord stimulation for people with long-term nerve pain that hasn't improved with other treatments. The goal is to see if this special stimulation pattern can reduce pain better than standard care.
Poitiers, FranceAges 18–80 - NCT04144972Recruiting
Closed-loop deep brain stimulation for long-lasting nerve pain
This trial tests a “smart” deep brain stimulation device that senses your brain signals and adjusts treatment to reduce severe, long-lasting pain. It may help people whose pain has not improved with multiple pain medicines and surgery cannot fix the cause.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 22–80 - 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.
Scottsdale, ArizonaAges 18 years+ - NCT04321408Recruiting
Study of ziconotide pain treatment in routine care
This study follows adults with severe, long-lasting pain that has not responded to other treatments, to see how the pain medicine ziconotide works in everyday clinical practice. You may be considered if you’re being evaluated for an implanted pain-delivery system that gives ziconotide into the spinal fluid.
AngersAges 18 years+ - NCT07336849Recruiting
Embolization for chronic shoulder pain not helped by other treatments
This trial tests a minimally invasive procedure called transcatheter arterial embolization using tiny particles (Nexsphere-F) to reduce chronic shoulder pain that has not improved with physical therapy, medications, or injections. It aims to see if this treatment can safely improve pain and shoulder movement.
SeoulAges 19–85 - NCT07393295Recruiting
TENS for endometriosis-related pain
This trial tests whether a device called TENS can help reduce chronic pelvic pain in people with endometriosis or adenomyosis. It is designed for those who are on stable hormone therapy and willing to limit other pain medications during the study.
BordeauxAges 18 years+ - NCT06524531RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Pulse Energy and Blood Injection for Stubborn Back Pain
This trial tests a new treatment for stubborn low back pain that involves a short pulse of radio waves (a type of energy) and an injection of your own blood cells (called PRP) to help the muscles in your back work better. It is for people whose pain comes from a specific muscle problem and has not gone away with other care.
Lahore, Punjab ProvinceAges 30–70 - NCT06859164RecruitingPhase 2
Knee artery treatment for chronic osteoarthritis pain
This trial tests a procedure called genicular artery embolization to reduce pain in people with knee osteoarthritis that hasn't improved with other treatments. The goal is to see if blocking certain blood vessels can relieve pain and help you avoid or delay knee replacement surgery.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 40–80 - NCT06216717Recruiting
Study of electrode location for brain stimulation in chronic pain
This study looks at where electrodes are placed in the brain for people who have a device that stimulates the motor cortex to treat chronic nerve pain. The goal is to help improve how these devices are positioned for better pain relief.
Nice, Alpes MaritimesAges 18 years+ - NCT06095050Recruiting
Embolization for chronic shoulder pain
This trial tests a procedure called embolization to treat long-lasting shoulder pain that hasn't improved with other treatments like physical therapy or injections. The goal is to see if blocking certain blood vessels can reduce pain and improve function.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 21–80 - NCT07500558Recruiting
Ultrasound-guided nerve block for chronic migraine pain relief
This study tests two power levels of a pulsed radiofrequency treatment aimed at a nerve cluster behind your cheekbone to reduce chronic migraine pain. If you have frequent migraines that haven't responded well to two or more preventive medications, this could be an option for you.
MinyaAges 20–70 - NCT04085406Recruiting
Deep brain stimulation for hard-to-treat low back pain
This trial studies deep brain stimulation (DBS) to reduce severe low back pain that hasn’t improved after many standard treatments and procedures. It may help people whose pain is long-lasting and not fixable with another surgery.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 40–75
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for refractory pain?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 20 recruiting refractory pain studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a refractory pain trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a refractory pain trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
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.