FibromyalgiafMRINCT03008837
Feasibility Study: fMRI Evaluation of Auricular PENFS for Fibromyalgia
A study testing Military Field Stimulator and Standard Therapy in people with Fibromyalgia, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Given recent increasing opioid-related deaths and evidence showing against the use of opioids for non-malignant chronic pain, there is growing need for non-narcotic pain management. Fibromyalgia is a difficult to treat chronic pain condition that is often treated with opioids despite existing evidence. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Fibromyalgia
- What is being tested?
- Military Field Stimulator and Standard Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 27 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2017to 31 May 2019
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Subjects must be male and female Veterans age 20-60 with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia as diagnosed by a clinician, by chart review, and by the most recent American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. 70,71
- Subjects must self-report consistent, daily pain (greater than 5 on the VAS) >90 days.
- Subjects must have intact skin free of infection at the site of implantation.
- Subjects must be willing to participate and understand the consent.
- Subjects must be right-handed in order to provide consistency in brain structure and function.
Who cannot join
- Subjects must not be currently pregnant, since effects of fMRI and electrical current on the developing fetus are not well-known.
- Subjects must not have an implanted electrical device such as a vagal stimulator, pacemaker, or spinal pain pump, which are not compatible with MRI.
- Subjects must not have a history of seizures or neurologic condition that may alter the structure of the brain.
- Subjects must not have a history of drug abuse or severe, uncontrolled psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia or major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation.
- Subjects must not have psoriasis vulgaris or other skin conditions that may increase the risk of infection at the implantation site.
- Subjects must not have severe anxiety, claustrophobia, or other conditions that may prevent their ability to lie at rest in an MRI scanner. This will be determined after discussion with the patient regarding their own perceived ability to lie at rest in an MRI scanner without the use of additional sedating medications.
- Subjects must not introduce new medications or treatments for fibromyalgia symptoms during the course of the study to prevent confounding results.
- Subjects must not have a concurrent autoimmune or inflammatory disease that causes pain such as systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis, since this could decrease the effect of treatment.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA
Decatur, Georgia, 30033
About this study
Given recent increasing opioid-related deaths and evidence showing against the use of opioids for non-malignant chronic pain, there is growing need for non-narcotic pain management. Fibromyalgia is a difficult to treat chronic pain condition that is often treated with opioids despite existing evidence. The prevalence of fibromyalgia is increased among Veterans returning from the gulf war and is already a significant burden in senior Veterans who may have suffered with chronic pain for decades already. Many treatment options for fibromyalgia carry intolerable side effects. PENFS (percutaneous electrical neural field stimulation) is a FDA-approved, non-pharmacologic therapy that is currently utilized within the military and VA system, but sufficient evidence regarding its outcomes and neural mechanisms have not been adequately investigated. An understanding of its neural underpinnings and analgesic effects could lead to 1) improvements in pain management and quality of life, 2) cost-savings and 3) development of new techniques to address pain.
Read the detailed description
BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that consists of chronic widespread pain, decreased physical function, fatigue, psychoemotional/sleep disturbances, and various somatic complaints, affecting anywhere from 5-10 million Americans, with ~1,500 Veterans carrying a diagnosis of fibromyalgia seen per year at the Atlanta VAMC alone. It is estimated that fibromyalgia costs the American population over $20 billion/year in lost wages and disability. Initial therapies often include complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, which are generally considered safe, although their efficacy has not been thoroughly evaluated for fibromyalgia. Thus, non-pharmacologic alternatives require more rigorous scientific investigation for the treatment of fibromyalgia. There is evidence to support the use of percutaneous electrical neural stimulation (PENS) in the treatment of pain conditions, which may have increased effects relative to acupuncture based on systematic reviews. While fMRI data for acupuncture and fibromyalgia exists, no such data exists for PENS treatment. An evolved form of PENS, percutaneous electrical neural field stimulation (PENFS) of the auricle is already used in the military and VA systems for the treatment of chronic pain, but evidence regarding its mechanisms and effects is lacking. Stimulation of the vagus nerve, which has auricular branches, has been previously studied for pain relief in fibromyalgia. However, application of PENS-type stimulation to the auricle has not been previously studied with fMRI, and this type of therapy may lead to neural changes worthy of further exploration. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using fMRI as a biomarker for the neural substrates of pain and functional changes following PENFS treatments. HYPOTHESIS: PENFS will result in decreased functional connectivity between the insula and default mode network as evaluated by fMRI, which will correlate to more significant improvements in pain and function relative to standard therapy for fibromyalgia. METHODS: Subjects who meet study criteria will receive baseline assessments including resting state fMRI, collection of biobehavioural information such as cognitive and psychological assessments on standardized forms, eating, sleeping and drinking habits, Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), arm curl, 30-s chair stand, and pain interference scores. Subjects will be stratified based on age and gender and then divided into standard therapy control (medication management and physical therapy) or PENFS (series of 4, weekly) treatments and assessed for fMRI changes 2 weeks after the final treatment. Pain and function will also be assessed at the 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks following the final treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Auricular PENFS has not been studied with fMRI. Stimulation of the auricle may produce neural changes that differ from traditional therapies. Understanding the underlying neural mechanisms of auricular PENFS could assist in developing targeted treatments for fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Further, if PENFS can significantly improve pain relief and function over standard therapies, it could decrease the need for opioid analgesics and their associated risks, which is a primary objective of the VA Opioid Safety Initiative. The present investigation will not only serve to elucidate neural changes with PENFS, but could be directly applicable to our Veterans suffering from fibromyalgia by providing evidence regarding the relative effectiveness of this already clinically-employed non-pharmacologic treatment (or lack thereof), and result in evidence-based implementation and potential cost savings to the VA system.
- Conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Being tested
- Military Field Stimulator, Standard Therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Fibromyalgia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Military Field StimulatorDevice
Also called MFS, Neuro-Stim System, PENFS
The Military Field Stimulator (MFS/Neuro-Stim System), a percutaneous electrical neural field stimulation (PENFS) device evolved from PENS, is currently employed by the United States (US) military and used in the VA (contract number V797D-50453). There is some evidence based on a small trial of 20 postoperative patients that suggests PENS may have greater benefit than acupuncture for acute pain.
Standard TherapyOther
Standard therapy for fibromyalgia will include physical therapy, medication management through the Anesthesiology Pain Clinic, and referral to a pain psychologist.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| PENFS | Experimental | Veterans with fibromyalgia who meet study criteria and are randomized to the experimental group will receive standard therapy in addition to percutaneous electrical neural field stimulation (PENFS), which involves placement of small electrodes through a similar process to ear acupuncture to the ear. These electrodes are attached to a battery pack that is taped behind the ear and worn for 5-day intervals. The intention of this FDA-approved device is to relieve pain, though data on its effectiveness is still limited. Device placement (series of 4, weekly) will be performed by an Anesthesiology Pain Clinic provider. fMRI evaluation of neural changes, assessment of function and quality of life improvements will be performed at the beginning and end of the study. Receives: Device: Military Field Stimulator |
| Standard Therapy | Active comparator | Veterans with fibromyalgia who meet study criteria and are randomized to standard therapy will receive physical therapy, medication management through the Anesthesiology Pain Clinic, and referral to a pain psychologist. fMRI evaluation of neural changes, assessment of function and quality of life improvements will be performed at the beginning and end of the study. Receives: Other: Standard Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
fcMRI as a Biomarker to Investigate Functionally Correlated Neural Substrates of Pain in Patients Undergoing PENFS
2 weeks following the final treatment, subjects in the PENFS group were be evaluated for changes in functional connectivity between the right posterior insula seed and other areas of the DMN as evaluated by fcMRI relative to standard treatment controls, using whole brain analysis. The measurement is increase/decrease of signal in a given region, thresholded at p <0.05, summarized into a value representing 'size of region of increase' or 'size of region of decrease' after subjects scans were combined/mapped onto a standard MNI brain. Only clusters of over 40 voxels were included, and the size of the region is reported in voxel size. The averaged brains for baseline fcMRI was subtracted from post-treatment for each group, and then these averaged differences were subtracted from each other. While other areas of the brain met threshold criteria in the analysis, only areas belonging to the DMN are reported.
Measured: baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment
Secondary outcomes (5)
Change in Defense Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) From Baseline
For fibromyalgia patients, pain will be assessed in the PENFS group relative to standard treatment controls, as indicated by analgesic Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) at 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up. This is a validated pain measure that includes a 0-10 scale where 0 means no pain and 10 means greatest pain imaginable. Higher scores indicate worse reported pain outcomes.
Measured: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Change in Pain Interference With "Activity," "Sleep," "Mood", and "Stress" From Baseline
Pain interference scores were measured using supplemental questions on the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS). Participants were asked to evaluate on a scale of 0-10 the level to which pain interfered with their "activity," "sleep," "mood", and "stress," with 10 being the worst interference, and 0 being no interference.
Measured: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Change in Number of Bicep Curls From Baseline (Left Arm)
Objective tests for functional improvement will be performed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks follow-up and include 30 sec chair stand tests. The total number of full bicep curls (left arm) participants could perform using were measured over a 30-second period at each visit.
Measured: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Change in Number of Bicep Curls From Baseline (Right Arm)
Objective tests for functional improvement will be performed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks follow-up and include 30 sec chair stand tests. The total number of full bicep curls (right arm) participants could perform using were measured over a 30-second period at each visit.
Measured: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Change in Sit-to Stand Test From Baseline
Objective tests for functional improvement will be performed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks follow-up and include 30 sec chair stand tests. The total number of full sit-to-stands participants could perform were measured over a 30-second period at each visit.
Measured: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Jan 2017 (estimated)
- Study start1 Jun 2017
- Primary completion31 May 2019
- Study completion31 May 2019
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for FibromyalgiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by VA Office of Research and DevelopmentThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Percutaneous electrical neural field stimulator (PENFS) using the military field stimulator, a device that uses small needles inserted in the ear (like auricular acupuncture), which are connected by electrodes to a battery pack that is attached externally using adhesive to the back of the ear. The stimulator is meant to stimulate branches of the cranial nerves via the ear.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 27 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Sponsor type
- US federal agency
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Anna Woodbury, MD, Principal investigator, Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03008837
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- F2113-M
- Other IDs
- 1IK1RX002113-01A2
- Acronym
- fMRI
- Status last verified
- Jul 2020
- First submitted
- 14 Dec 2016
- Last updated
- 27 Jul 2020
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Gebre M, Woodbury A, Napadow V, Krishnamurthy V, Krishnamurthy LC, Sniecinski R, Crosson B. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Auricular Percutaneous Electrical Neural Field Stimulation for Fibromyalgia: Protocol for a Feasibility Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2018 Feb 6;7(2):e39. doi: 10.2196/resprot.8692.
PubMed 29410385Vernon M, Rapsas B, Krishnamurthy LC, Krishnamurthy V, Stevens J, Woodbury A. Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation and White Matter Integrity in a Randomized Trial of Veterans With Fibromyalgia. Anesth Analg. 2026 May 1;142(5):1004-1008. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000007785. Epub 2026 Apr 14. No abstract available.
PubMed 41134340Woodbury A, Krishnamurthy V, Gebre M, Napadow V, Bicknese C, Liu M, Lukemire J, Kalangara J, Cui X, Guo Y, Sniecinski R, Crosson B. Feasibility of Auricular Field Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: Evaluation by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Randomized Trial. Pain Med. 2021 Mar 18;22(3):715-726. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa317.
PubMed 33164085
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Jul 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Feasibility Study: fMRI Evaluation of Auricular PENFS for Fibromyalgia
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03008837
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- fMRI / F2113-M
- Conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 27 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- VA Office of Research and DevelopmentUS federal agency
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2019 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Jan 2017 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 27 Jul 2020
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Given recent increasing opioid-related deaths and evidence showing against the use of opioids for non-malignant chronic pain, there is growing need for non-narcotic pain management. Fibromyalgia is a difficult to treat chronic pain condition that is often treated with opioids despite existing evidence. The prevalence of fibromyalgia is increased among Veterans returning from the gulf war and is already a significant burden in senior Veterans who may have suffered with chronic pain for decades already. Many treatment options for fibromyalgia carry intolerable side effects. PENFS (percutaneous electrical neural field stimulation) is a FDA-approved, non-pharmacologic therapy that is currently utilized within the military and VA system, but sufficient evidence regarding its outcomes and neural mechanisms have not been adequately investigated. An understanding of its neural underpinnings and analgesic effects could lead to 1) improvements in pain management and quality of life, 2) cost-savings and 3) development of new techniques to address pain.
Detailed description
BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that consists of chronic widespread pain, decreased physical function, fatigue, psychoemotional/sleep disturbances, and various somatic complaints, affecting anywhere from 5-10 million Americans, with ~1,500 Veterans carrying a diagnosis of fibromyalgia seen per year at the Atlanta VAMC alone. It is estimated that fibromyalgia costs the American population over $20 billion/year in lost wages and disability. Initial therapies often include complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, which are generally considered safe, although their efficacy has not been thoroughly evaluated for fibromyalgia. Thus, non-pharmacologic alternatives require more rigorous scientific investigation for the treatment of fibromyalgia. There is evidence to support the use of percutaneous electrical neural stimulation (PENS) in the treatment of pain conditions, which may have increased effects relative to acupuncture based on systematic reviews. While fMRI data for acupuncture and fibromyalgia exists, no such data exists for PENS treatment. An evolved form of PENS, percutaneous electrical neural field stimulation (PENFS) of the auricle is already used in the military and VA systems for the treatment of chronic pain, but evidence regarding its mechanisms and effects is lacking. Stimulation of the vagus nerve, which has auricular branches, has been previously studied for pain relief in fibromyalgia. However, application of PENS-type stimulation to the auricle has not been previously studied with fMRI, and this type of therapy may lead to neural changes worthy of further exploration. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using fMRI as a biomarker for the neural substrates of pain and functional changes following PENFS treatments. HYPOTHESIS: PENFS will result in decreased functional connectivity between the insula and default mode network as evaluated by fMRI, which will correlate to more significant improvements in pain and function relative to standard therapy for fibromyalgia. METHODS: Subjects who meet study criteria will receive baseline assessments including resting state fMRI, collection of biobehavioural information such as cognitive and psychological assessments on standardized forms, eating, sleeping and drinking habits, Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), arm curl, 30-s chair stand, and pain interference scores. Subjects will be stratified based on age and gender and then divided into standard therapy control (medication management and physical therapy) or PENFS (series of 4, weekly) treatments and assessed for fMRI changes 2 weeks after the final treatment. Pain and function will also be assessed at the 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks following the final treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Auricular PENFS has not been studied with fMRI. Stimulation of the auricle may produce neural changes that differ from traditional therapies. Understanding the underlying neural mechanisms of auricular PENFS could assist in developing targeted treatments for fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Further, if PENFS can significantly improve pain relief and function over standard therapies, it could decrease the need for opioid analgesics and their associated risks, which is a primary objective of the VA Opioid Safety Initiative. The present investigation will not only serve to elucidate neural changes with PENFS, but could be directly applicable to our Veterans suffering from fibromyalgia by providing evidence regarding the relative effectiveness of this already clinically-employed non-pharmacologic treatment (or lack thereof), and result in evidence-based implementation and potential cost savings to the VA system.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Percutaneous electrical neural field stimulator (PENFS) using the military field stimulator, a device that uses small needles inserted in the ear (like auricular acupuncture), which are connected by electrodes to a battery pack that is attached externally using adhesive to the back of the ear. The stimulator is meant to stimulate branches of the cranial nerves via the ear.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| PENFS | Experimental | Device: Military Field StimulatorVeterans with fibromyalgia who meet study criteria and are randomized to the experimental group will receive standard therapy in addition to percutaneous electrical neural field stimulation (PENFS), which involves placement of small electrodes through a similar process to ear acupuncture to the ear. These electrodes are attached to a battery pack that is taped behind the ear and worn for 5-day intervals. The intention of this FDA-approved device is to relieve pain, though data on its effectiveness is still limited. Device placement (series of 4, weekly) will be performed by an Anesthesiology Pain Clinic provider. fMRI evaluation of neural changes, assessment of function and quality of life improvements will be performed at the beginning and end of the study. |
| Standard Therapy | Active comparator | Other: Standard TherapyVeterans with fibromyalgia who meet study criteria and are randomized to standard therapy will receive physical therapy, medication management through the Anesthesiology Pain Clinic, and referral to a pain psychologist. fMRI evaluation of neural changes, assessment of function and quality of life improvements will be performed at the beginning and end of the study. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Subjects must be male and female Veterans age 20-60 with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia as diagnosed by a clinician, by chart review, and by the most recent American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. 70,71
- Subjects must self-report consistent, daily pain (greater than 5 on the VAS) >90 days.
- Subjects must have intact skin free of infection at the site of implantation.
- Subjects must be willing to participate and understand the consent.
- Subjects must be right-handed in order to provide consistency in brain structure and function.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Subjects must not be currently pregnant, since effects of fMRI and electrical current on the developing fetus are not well-known.
- Subjects must not have an implanted electrical device such as a vagal stimulator, pacemaker, or spinal pain pump, which are not compatible with MRI.
- Subjects must not have a history of seizures or neurologic condition that may alter the structure of the brain.
- Subjects must not have a history of drug abuse or severe, uncontrolled psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia or major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation.
- Subjects must not have psoriasis vulgaris or other skin conditions that may increase the risk of infection at the implantation site.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Military Field StimulatorAlso: MFS, Neuro-Stim System, PENFSThe Military Field Stimulator (MFS/Neuro-Stim System), a percutaneous electrical neural field stimulation (PENFS) device evolved from PENS, is currently employed by the United States (US) military and used in the VA (contract number V797D-50453). There is some evidence based on a small trial of 20 postoperative patients that suggests PENS may have greater benefit than acupuncture for acute pain. | Device | PENFS |
| Standard TherapyStandard therapy for fibromyalgia will include physical therapy, medication management through the Anesthesiology Pain Clinic, and referral to a pain psychologist. | Other | Standard Therapy |
Primary outcome
fcMRI as a Biomarker to Investigate Functionally Correlated Neural Substrates of Pain in Patients Undergoing PENFS
Time frame: baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment
2 weeks following the final treatment, subjects in the PENFS group were be evaluated for changes in functional connectivity between the right posterior insula seed and other areas of the DMN as evaluated by fcMRI relative to standard treatment controls, using whole brain analysis. The measurement is increase/decrease of signal in a given region, thresholded at p <0.05, summarized into a value representing 'size of region of increase' or 'size of region of decrease' after subjects scans were combined/mapped onto a standard MNI brain. Only clusters of over 40 voxels were included, and the size of the region is reported in voxel size. The averaged brains for baseline fcMRI was subtracted from post-treatment for each group, and then these averaged differences were subtracted from each other. While other areas of the brain met threshold criteria in the analysis, only areas belonging to the DMN are reported.
5 secondary outcomes
Change in Defense Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) From Baseline
Time frame: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Change in Pain Interference With "Activity," "Sleep," "Mood", and "Stress" From Baseline
Time frame: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Change in Number of Bicep Curls From Baseline (Left Arm)
Time frame: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Change in Number of Bicep Curls From Baseline (Right Arm)
Time frame: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Change in Sit-to Stand Test From Baseline
Time frame: 2, 6 and 12 weeks follow-up
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Jul 2020.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 29410385Gebre M, Woodbury A, Napadow V, Krishnamurthy V, Krishnamurthy LC, Sniecinski R, Crosson B. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Auricular Percutaneous Electrical Neural Field Stimulation for Fibromyalgia: Protocol for a Feasibility Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2018 Feb 6;7(2):e39. doi: 10.2196/resprot.8692.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41134340Vernon M, Rapsas B, Krishnamurthy LC, Krishnamurthy V, Stevens J, Woodbury A. Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation and White Matter Integrity in a Randomized Trial of Veterans With Fibromyalgia. Anesth Analg. 2026 May 1;142(5):1004-1008. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000007785. Epub 2026 Apr 14. No abstract available.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33164085Woodbury A, Krishnamurthy V, Gebre M, Napadow V, Bicknese C, Liu M, Lukemire J, Kalangara J, Cui X, Guo Y, Sniecinski R, Crosson B. Feasibility of Auricular Field Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: Evaluation by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Randomized Trial. Pain Med. 2021 Mar 18;22(3):715-726. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa317.
- Peri-Auricular PENFS for Chronic PainLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Anna Woodbury, MD principal investigator
Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Military Field Stimulator and Standard Therapy in people with Fibromyalgia, run by VA Office of Research and Development at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Jul 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 27 Jul 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
fcMRI as a Biomarker to Investigate Functionally Correlated Neural Substrates of Pain in Patients Undergoing PENFS (time frame: baseline and 2 weeks post-treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03008837, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Jul 2020.