Auricular nerve stimulation for fibromyalgia in veterans
Official title: Auricular Neuromodulation in Veterans with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11418752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aurasicular nerve stimulation therapy is being tested in veterans with fibromyalgia to see if it reduces pain and improves function compared to a sham treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Decatur, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX005050-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418752 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with fibromyalgia who have participated or are eligible for active follow-up and who can undergo auricular PENFS procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without fibromyalgia or those unable to participate in brain imaging or device procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a non-drug therapy called auricular percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) for fibromyalgia in veterans. It uses a double-blind, randomized design to compare PENFS against a sham control and follows participants over time to track pain, function, and brain/heart signals. Researchers will use brain imaging and heart rate variability as biomarkers to understand how the therapy works and who it helps most.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans with fibromyalgia could have a non-pharmacologic option to reduce pain and improve daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary VA-funded studies suggested improvements with PENFS, with continued benefits after treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Decatur, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woodbury, Anna — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Woodbury, Anna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Noninvasive deep brain stimulation for fibromyalgia relief
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-
LARKSPUR-mHealth: a remote positive-emotion program for fibromyalgia
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Biomarker-Guided Fibromyalgia Treatment with Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation
A study to see if non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation can help people with fibromyalgia by balancing gut health and identifying biomarkers to guide treatment.
-
Ear nerve stimulation for veterans with fibromyalgia
This tests whether a small electrical device placed on the ear can reduce pain and improve daily function for veterans with fibromyalgia.
-
Relationships among mood, inflammation, and pain in Veterans with fibromyalgia
This project explores how feelings, brain inflammation, and pain relate in Veterans living with fibromyalgia and how exercise might help.
-
Using Vibrational Spectroscopy to Diagnose Fibromyalgia and Related Pain Conditions
This study is looking at a new way to help diagnose Fibromyalgia and similar conditions by using special technology to analyze samples from patients, aiming to find clear signs that can help doctors make better decisions and reduce the need for pain medications.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.