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Ultrasound brain stimulation for people with fibromyalgia

Tests gentle ultrasound aimed at the brain in adults with fibromyalgia.

Key facts

Who runs it
University of Utah
Where
Salt Lake City, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
Personalized Ultrasonic Brain Stimulation for Fibromyalgia
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
50 people, planned
Started
5 Jan 2026
Expected to end
31 Dec 2028
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets a sham (pretend) treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Low-intensity ultrasound brain stimulation
  • Sham (No Treatment)
Record updated
23 January 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with fibromyalgia whose pain has not improved with medicines and physical therapy. It tests ultrasound brain stimulation that does not go through the skin, compared with a fake (sham) treatment.

Age
22 Years to 70 Years
Sex
All sexes can join.
Disease stage
Fibromyalgia by American College of Rheumatology criteria: pain in at least 4 of 5 body regions, WPI ≥ 7 and SSS ≥ 5, or WPI of 4-6 and SSS ≥ 9, symptoms for at least 3 months. Pain score of ≥ 4 on the NRS-11 scale at Screening and at Baseline.
Earlier treatment
At least two fibromyalgia medicines (such as pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) must have failed. At least one attempt at physical therapy (for example exercise, yoga, massage, TENS or cognitive-behavioral therapy) must have failed. Psychiatric treatment must stay the same from 1 month before screening.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Bipolar disorder or schizophrenia-spectrum disorder at any time in life
  • Moderate or severe alcohol or drug use disorder in the past 6 months
  • Anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder as main diagnosis in the past 3 months
  • Moderate or high risk of suicide
  • Pregnancy, or not willing to use highly effective birth control if able to become pregnant

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 14 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Meets American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia:; Generalized pain, defined as pain in at least 4 of 5 regions, is present; Widespread pain index (WPI) ≥ 7 and symptom severity scale score (SSS) ≥ 5, or WPI of 4-6 and SSS score ≥ 9; Symptoms have been present at a similar level for at least 3 months; d.A diagnosis of fibromyalgia is valid irrespective of other diagnoses. A diagnosis of fibromyalgia does not exclude the presence of other clinically important illnesses
  • Failure of at least two evidence based medications (i.e., pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) for the treatment of fibromyalgia
  • Failure of one or more attempts at physical therapy including:; Aerobic exercise like walking, cycling, and swimming,; Water therapy/hydrotherapy with warm water exercises,; Tai Chi involving slow, controlled movements,; Yoga,; Resistance training,; Bodyweight exercises,; Pilates,; Myofascial release therapy applying gentle pressure on trigger points,; Massage therapy,; Trigger point therapy targeting specific pain points,; Joint mobilization,; Postural retraining to correct body alignment,; Balance and coordination exercises,; Feldenkrais method for movement awareness,; Alexander technique to enhance posture and movement efficiency,; Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for pain relief,; Heat therapy using hot packs, infrared, or paraffin wax,; Cold therapy with ice packs or cryotherapy,; Ultrasound therapy for deep tissue relaxation,; Biofeedback to control muscle tension and pain response,; Gentle static stretching for prolonged duration,; Active dynamic stretching for full range of motion,; Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching,; Hydrotherapy pool exercises,; Ai Chi (water-based Tai Chi),; Underwater treadmill therapy,; Graded motor imagery (GMI),; Mirror therapy to retrain brain-body connections,; Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) combining meditation and movement,; Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Gaze stabilization techniques for dizziness and disorientation
  • Pain score of ≥ 4 on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) at Screening visit
  • Pain score of ≥ 4 on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) at Baseline visit
  • Stated willingness and ability to comply with all study procedures, to receive no additional interventions, and to remain on the same psychiatric treatment regimen (e.g., medication, psychotherapy) beginning at least one (1) month prior to screening and for the duration of the main study period unless a change in treatment is recommended or agreed upon by the site principal investigator
  • For participants of reproductive potential: negative urine or blood pregnancy test at screening; agreement to use a highly effective method of contraception (≤ 1% pregnancy rate) including tubal ligation, vasectomized partner, IUD or IUS (intrauterine device or system), or long-acting contraceptives (LARC)
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent

Who cannot take part

  • Any previous diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia-spectrum disorder during the participant's lifetime, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version 5 (DSM-5) criteria
  • Diagnosis of moderate or severe alcohol or other substance use disorder in the past 6 months, according to DSM-5 criteria
  • Diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder and/or posttraumatic stress disorder in the past 30 days, according to DSM-5 criteria, and which is unstable in the clinical judgment of the investigator
  • Primary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder in the past 3 months, according to DSM-5 criteria
  • Clinically significant neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, or personality disorder, according to DSM-5 criteria
  • Moderate-High Risk of Suicide, according to the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Screen Version - Recent (i.e., answers YES to Question 3 and NO to Question 6 (Moderate Risk), or YES to Question 4, 5, or 6 (High Risk)), or in the clinical judgement of the site principal investigator (PI)

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

  • Are you between 22 and 70 years old?

Where in United States

  • Pain Research Center, University of UtahSalt Lake City, United StatesContact: Madison Bunnell, Research Study coordinatorTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

The primary purpose of this research is to evaluate a new kind of noninvasive brain stimulation intervention using the investigational ultrasound device, which might be useful for treating fibromyalgia. The device is for investigational use only and is not yet approved by the FDA for the intended use.

Read full original descriptionShow less

* Participants will be asked to visit the study center 7 times for in-person assessment and treatment sessions. In addition, participants will be asked to complete an online assessment 7 times. During in-person or online visits:

* Participants will undergo an MRI scan twice during the first and last in-person visit (1 hour each) The second MRI may be optional. * There will be 6 treatment sessions (45 minutes each) within a 2-week period * The online assessment occurs (15 minutes each)

* two consecutive days before the first treatment session * 15 days after the first treatment session * 22 days after the first treatment session * 29 days after the first treatment session * 44 days after the first treatment session * 60 days after the first treatment session

The 2 groups in the trial

  • Ultrasound GroupTreatment being tested

    Participants in this group will receive low-intensity ultrasound brain stimulation

    Treatment: Low-intensity ultrasound brain stimulation

  • Sham controlSham treatment, for comparison

    Participants in this group will undergo the same procedure with the Ultrasound group but do not receive ultrasound stimulation

    Treatment: Sham (No Treatment)

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Low-intensity Ultrasonic Neuromodulation for Alleviation of Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Plain-language title
Ultrasound brain stimulation for people with fibromyalgiaGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 14 November 2026.
Fit questions
Built from NCT07361328, who can take part
Record updated
23 January 2026