Understanding and training the body's ability to manage musculoskeletal pain

Mechanisms and Modulation of Pain Modulatory Capacity

Not applicable Interventional University of Florida · NCT04441619

This study is testing if a special training program can help people with fibromyalgia learn to better manage their musculoskeletal pain compared to healthy individuals.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment180 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Florida Academic / other
Locations1 site (Gainesville, Florida)
Trial IDNCT04441619 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to explore the variability in pain responses and how this variability can be harnessed to improve pain management. It investigates whether individuals can train their endogenous capacity to modulate pain through a musculoskeletal training program, particularly focusing on those with fibromyalgia compared to healthy individuals. The study will assess how repeated exposure to musculoskeletal pain influences pain modulation and whether fibromyalgia patients exhibit a deficit in this trainability. The outcomes could provide insights into diagnostic signs and guide further mechanistic research.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with widespread muscle pain who meet specific diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic medical conditions affecting pain perception or those currently experiencing pain in specific areas may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance pain management strategies for patients with fibromyalgia and improve their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that exercise can reduce pain sensitivity, suggesting potential success for this approach, although this specific training methodology is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Asymptomatic people (ie no current pain conditions)
* Participants with widespread muscle pain (WMP) aged 18 years of age and older
* Participants with WMP must meet the ACR (2010) diagnostic criteria of multiple regions of muscle pain
* The asymptomatic group will be free of current wrist/hand, elbow, or shoulder pain and chronic pain conditions (eg irritable bowel syndrome, FM)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participation in a conditioning program specific to the biceps in the past 6 months
2. Any report of wrist/hand, elbow, or shoulder pain in the last 3 months
3. Any chronic medical conditions that may affect pain perception (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure), kidney dysfunction, muscle damage, or major psychiatric disorder
4. Use of any intervention (including but not limited to medication, massage, and stretching) for symptoms induced by pain training for the duration of the study
5. Positive result on pre-MRI metal screening or pregnancy test due to contraindication for the MRI environment.
6. Any participant with ferromagnetic metal in the head, neck, or abdominal cavity

Where this trial is running

Gainesville, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Musculoskeletal Pain
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.