Chronic Widespread PainNCT07212829
The Added Value of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) During Exercise for People With Chronic Widespread Pain
A study testing Active tDCS and Aerobic exercise in people with Chronic Widespread Pain and Fibromyalgia (FM), run by Vrije Universiteit Brussel at 1 site in Belgium.
Trial summary
Many people with chronic widespread pain (CWP) feel more pain and fatigue after exercise. This makes it hard to stay active. Unfortunately, the investigators do not fully understand why this happens and how to prevent it. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Widespread Pain, Fibromyalgia (FM)
- What is being tested?
- Active tDCS and Aerobic exercise
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteBelgium
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 30 Jun 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 70 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients
- Participants in the patient group must meet all of the following criteria:
- Diagnosis of chronic widespread pain (CWP) or fibromyalgia;
- Age between 18 and 70 years old;
- Body mass index (BMI) ≤ 35;
- Widespread Pain Index (WPI) assessment: the WPI questionnaire (0-19 points) will be used to record the number and distribution of painful body sites. Participants will be classified as having CWP if pain is reported on both sides of the body, above and below the waist, and in the axial skeleton, with pain symptoms lasting ≥ 3 months;
Show all 12Show fewer
- Stable medication use for at least 1 month prior to study entry.
- Healthy control group
- Participants in the healthy control group must meet all of the following criteria:
- Age between 18 and 70 years old;
- Body mass index (BMI) ≤ 35;
- No chronic conditions, such as chronic pain and diabetes.
Who cannot join
- For both patients and healthy controls, participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following:
- Current pregnancy or pregnancy within the past 12 months;
- Contraindications for non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), in line with published safety guidelines;
- History of neurological disorders, including epilepsy (personal or family history), traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's disease;
- Major medical conditions, including cancer, endocrine or metabolic disorders, urine, genital and cardiovascu-lar diseases (e.g., myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension).
- Substance abuse.
- Presence of psychiatric disorders other than depression or anxiety.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Belgium1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
VUB
Jette, 1090
Pain in Motion research group, PhD, +32 0497783956, Jo.Nijs@vub.be
About this study
Official title: Unravelling the Epigenetic Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Pain in Chronic Widespread Pain: DNA Methylation Regulation of the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression and Its Modulation by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Many people with chronic widespread pain (CWP) feel more pain and fatigue after exercise. This makes it hard to stay active. Unfortunately, the investigators do not fully understand why this happens and how to prevent it.
The primary goal of this study is to explore the underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of BDNF gene in response to exercise, and investigate if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during exercise works to improve worsening symptoms response to exercise in people with CWP.
The investigators designed a randomized crossover study and will enroll 60 patients with CWP and 60 healthy controls. Participants will undergo 2 interventions in random order: 1) exercise + active tDCS, and 2) exercise + sham tDCS. Participants will visit the hospital twice with at least one week in between the visits.
Read the detailed description
Many people with chronic widespread pain (CWP), such as those with fibromyalgia, experience increased pain in response to exercise, which discourages continued physical activity. Although abnormal gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms has been implicated in CWP, the underlying mechanisms by which exercise exacerbates symptoms remain unclear. DNA methylation is one way that environmental factors like exercise can alter gene expression, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a central role in both neuroplasticity and pain processing. The investigators hypothesize that aberrant expression of the BDNF gene contributes to post-exercise symptom flares in CWP.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate neuroplasticity and influence gene expression, making it a promising approach to normalize BDNF regulation during exercise.
In this randomized crossover trial, 60 CWP patients and 60 healthy controls will each undergo two sessions: (1) exercise with active tDCS and (2) exercise with sham tDCS. Each participant will visit the hospital twice, with at least one week between sessions. During each session, participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise (20 min), along with a single session of active or sham tDCS (30 min) simultaneously. The order of interventions will be well-balanced and randomly allocated to each participant. We will measure pain intensity, serum BDNF protein levels, and BDNF gene methylation before and after each session. To capture longer-term effects, participants will also complete online symptom assessments at 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days post-exercise.
The primary objective of this study is to determine how active versus sham tDCS during exercise influences BDNF expression, DNA methylation patterns, and pain intensity in CWP patients.
The secondary objectives are to 1) compare these tDCS-induced changes between CWP patients and healthy controls; and 2) identify factors that influence tDCS/exercise-induced changes, including baseline BDNF levels, DNA methylation patterns, genetic polymorphisms and Lifestyle variables (e.g., physical activity).
By elucidating the epigenetic regulation of BDNF in exercise-induced pain and evaluating tDCS as a modulatory intervention, this study seeks to identify biomarkers of symptom exacerbation and develop non-pharmacological strategies that enable CWP patients to remain active without worsening their pain.
- Conditions
- Chronic Widespread Pain, Fibromyalgia (FM)
- Being tested
- Active tDCS, Aerobic exercise, Sham tDCS
- Keywords
- BDNF, pain, exercise, DNA methylation
- Medical subject headings
- Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Pain, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Active tDCSDevice
tDCS is performed using a monophasic current device. Pairs of silicon sponge sur-face electrodes (35 cm2) are soaked in saline and positioned as follows: the anode is placed over the region of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) per the international 10/20 system at point F3 (left DLPFC), and the cathode is placed on the contralateral supraorbital area (FP2 site). For active tDCS, the current is ramped up for 30 seconds until the center electrode reaches a target intensity of 2 mA, then remains for 29 minutes before dropping for another 30s.
Aerobic exerciseBehavioural
Participants will perform a moderate aerobic exercise (AE, known as aerobic power index), using a cycle er-gometer. The exercise intensity is moderate and individually tailored based on each participant's estimated maximum heart rate (HRmax), calculated using the validated formula: HRmax = 211 - (0.64 × age).
Sham tDCSDevice
tDCS is performed using a monophasic current device. Pairs of silicon sponge sur-face electrodes (35 cm2) are soaked in saline and positioned as follows: the anode is placed over the region of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) per the international 10/20 system at point F3 (left DLPFC), and the cathode is placed on the contralateral supraorbital area (FP2 site).
In the sham condition, current is ramped up to 2.0 mA for 30 seconds and then ramped down to 0 mA, with the total session duration matched to the active condition. This procedure was used to mimic the tingling sensa-tions typically experienced at the beginning of stimulation. Participants received identical instructions, session timing, and room setup across conditions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise + active tDCS + patients | Experimental | Patient participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise, along with a single session of active tDCS simultaneously. Receives: Device: Active tDCS; Behavioral: Aerobic exercise |
| Exercise + sham tDCS + patients | Sham comparator | Patient participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise, along with a single session of sham tDCS simultaneously. Receives: Behavioral: Aerobic exercise; Device: Sham tDCS |
| Exercise + active tDCS + healthy controls | Active comparator | healthy volunteer participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise, along with a single session of active tDCS simultaneously. Receives: Device: Active tDCS; Behavioral: Aerobic exercise |
| Exercise + sham tDCS + healthy controls | Sham comparator | healthy volunteer participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise, along with a single session of sham tDCS simultaneously. Receives: Behavioral: Aerobic exercise; Device: Sham tDCS |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity
Pain intensity is measured using a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "the worst pain imaginable".
Measured: Participants rate their pain at baseline, and 30 minutes after the intervention.
Blood BDNF levels
Venous blood samples are collected before and after each exercise-tDCS session. Samples are centrifuged, aliquoted, and stored at -80 °C until analysis. Blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are quantified using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), following the manufacturer's instructions.
Measured: Blood samples are collected at baseline and 20 minutes after exercise-tDCS session.
BDNF DNA methylation
Genomic DNA is extracted from whole blood collected at baseline and after the intervention. DNA methylation of the BDNF gene is assessed using bisulfite conversion followed by quantitative analysis of methylation levels at CpG sites within promoter regions previously associated with pain regulation. Methylation levels are expressed as the percentage of methylated cytosines at each CpG site. Changes in DNA methylation are calculated as the difference between post-intervention and baseline values.
Measured: Blood samples are collected at baseline and 20 minutes after exercise-tDCS session.
Secondary outcomes (6)
Pain intensity
Pain intensity is measured using a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "the worst pain imaginable".
Measured: Participants rate their pain at immediately, 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days after the intervention.
Fatigue
Brugmann Fatigue Scale (BFS). Fatigue is assessed with the BFS, an 8-item self-report questionnaire (4 mental and 4 physical items; each scored 0-3). Subscale scores range 0-12 (mental; physical), and the total score ranges 0-24; higher scores indicate greater fatigue/rest propensity.
Measured: Participants rate their fatigue at baseline, and 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days after the intervention.
Fibromyalgia symptom impact
Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). The FIQR evaluates the overall impact of fibromyalgia on functioning, symptoms, and quality of life. The total score ranges 0-100 (higher = greater disease burden), comprising function (0-30), overall impact (0-20), and symptoms (0-50) after standard weighting; each item is rated 0-10.
Measured: Participants rate their FIQR at baseline, and 7 days after intervention.
Central sensitization symptoms
The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is administered to assess symptoms related to central sensitization, such as sensitivity to touch, light, or sound, sleep disturbances, and concentration difficulties. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting greater symptom severity. Each item is rated 0-4.
Measured: Participants rate their CSI at baseline.
Pain catastrophizing
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) is used to measure catastrophic thoughts and feelings related to pain, in-cluding rumination, magnification, and helplessness. Each item is rated 0-4. Total scores range from 0 to 52, with higher values indicating stronger pain catastrophizing tendencies.
Measured: Participants rate their PCS at baseline, and 30 minutes after the intervention.
Anxiety and depression
HADS consists of two subscales: HADS-A, designed to detect anxious states, and HADS-D, designed to detect de-pressive states. Each subscale consists of 7 items with a 4-point ordinal response format. Scores range from 0 to 21 in each subscale, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxious or depressive state. Participants an-swer each item thinking of how they felt and/or behaved during the past week.
Measured: Participants rate their HAD at baseline.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Oct 2025
- Study start1 Feb 2026
- Primary completion30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Widespread PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Vrije Universiteit BrusselThe 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
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jo Nijs, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07212829
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- EC-2025-255
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 1 Oct 2025
- Last updated
- 20 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Unravelling the Epigenetic Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Pain in Chronic Widespread Pain: DNA Methylation Regulation of the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression and Its Modulation by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07212829
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EC-2025-255
- Conditions
- Chronic Widespread Pain, Fibromyalgia (FM)
- Keywords
- BDNF, pain, exercise, DNA methylation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Vrije Universiteit BrusselUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Many people with chronic widespread pain (CWP) feel more pain and fatigue after exercise. This makes it hard to stay active. Unfortunately, the investigators do not fully understand why this happens and how to prevent it.
The primary goal of this study is to explore the underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of BDNF gene in response to exercise, and investigate if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during exercise works to improve worsening symptoms response to exercise in people with CWP.
The investigators designed a randomized crossover study and will enroll 60 patients with CWP and 60 healthy controls. Participants will undergo 2 interventions in random order: 1) exercise + active tDCS, and 2) exercise + sham tDCS. Participants will visit the hospital twice with at least one week in between the visits.
Detailed description
Many people with chronic widespread pain (CWP), such as those with fibromyalgia, experience increased pain in response to exercise, which discourages continued physical activity. Although abnormal gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms has been implicated in CWP, the underlying mechanisms by which exercise exacerbates symptoms remain unclear. DNA methylation is one way that environmental factors like exercise can alter gene expression, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a central role in both neuroplasticity and pain processing. The investigators hypothesize that aberrant expression of the BDNF gene contributes to post-exercise symptom flares in CWP.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate neuroplasticity and influence gene expression, making it a promising approach to normalize BDNF regulation during exercise.
In this randomized crossover trial, 60 CWP patients and 60 healthy controls will each undergo two sessions: (1) exercise with active tDCS and (2) exercise with sham tDCS. Each participant will visit the hospital twice, with at least one week between sessions. During each session, participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise (20 min), along with a single session of active or sham tDCS (30 min) simultaneously. The order of interventions will be well-balanced and randomly allocated to each participant. We will measure pain intensity, serum BDNF protein levels, and BDNF gene methylation before and after each session. To capture longer-term effects, participants will also complete online symptom assessments at 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days post-exercise.
The primary objective of this study is to determine how active versus sham tDCS during exercise influences BDNF expression, DNA methylation patterns, and pain intensity in CWP patients.
The secondary objectives are to 1) compare these tDCS-induced changes between CWP patients and healthy controls; and 2) identify factors that influence tDCS/exercise-induced changes, including baseline BDNF levels, DNA methylation patterns, genetic polymorphisms and Lifestyle variables (e.g., physical activity).
By elucidating the epigenetic regulation of BDNF in exercise-induced pain and evaluating tDCS as a modulatory intervention, this study seeks to identify biomarkers of symptom exacerbation and develop non-pharmacological strategies that enable CWP patients to remain active without worsening their pain.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise + active tDCS + patients | Experimental | Device: Active tDCS, Behavioral: Aerobic exercisePatient participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise, along with a single session of active tDCS simultaneously. |
| Exercise + sham tDCS + patients | Sham comparator | Behavioral: Aerobic exercise, Device: Sham tDCSPatient participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise, along with a single session of sham tDCS simultaneously. |
| Exercise + active tDCS + healthy controls | Active comparator | Device: Active tDCS, Behavioral: Aerobic exercisehealthy volunteer participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise, along with a single session of active tDCS simultaneously. |
| Exercise + sham tDCS + healthy controls | Sham comparator | Behavioral: Aerobic exercise, Device: Sham tDCShealthy volunteer participants will receive one bout of submaximal aerobic exercise, along with a single session of sham tDCS simultaneously. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Patients
- Diagnosis of chronic widespread pain (CWP) or fibromyalgia;
- Age between 18 and 70 years old;
- Body mass index (BMI) ≤ 35;
- Widespread Pain Index (WPI) assessment: the WPI questionnaire (0-19 points) will be used to record the number and distribution of painful body sites. Participants will be classified as having CWP if pain is reported on both sides of the body, above and below the waist, and in the axial skeleton, with pain symptoms lasting ≥ 3 months;
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- For both patients and healthy controls, participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following:
- Current pregnancy or pregnancy within the past 12 months;
- Contraindications for non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), in line with published safety guidelines;
- History of neurological disorders, including epilepsy (personal or family history), traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's disease;
- Major medical conditions, including cancer, endocrine or metabolic disorders, urine, genital and cardiovascu-lar diseases (e.g., myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Active tDCStDCS is performed using a monophasic current device. Pairs of silicon sponge sur-face electrodes (35 cm2) are soaked in saline and positioned as follows: the anode is placed over the region of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) per the international 10/20 system at point F3 (left DLPFC), and the cathode is placed on the contralateral supraorbital area (FP2 site). For active tDCS, the current is ramped up for 30 seconds until the center electrode reaches a target intensity of 2 mA, then remains for 29 minutes before dropping for another 30s. | Device | Exercise + active tDCS + healthy controls, Exercise + active tDCS + patients |
| Aerobic exerciseParticipants will perform a moderate aerobic exercise (AE, known as aerobic power index), using a cycle er-gometer. The exercise intensity is moderate and individually tailored based on each participant's estimated maximum heart rate (HRmax), calculated using the validated formula: HRmax = 211 - (0.64 × age). | Behavioural | Exercise + active tDCS + healthy controls, Exercise + active tDCS + patients, Exercise + sham tDCS + healthy controls, Exercise + sham tDCS + patients |
| Sham tDCStDCS is performed using a monophasic current device. Pairs of silicon sponge sur-face electrodes (35 cm2) are soaked in saline and positioned as follows: the anode is placed over the region of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) per the international 10/20 system at point F3 (left DLPFC), and the cathode is placed on the contralateral supraorbital area (FP2 site). In the sham condition, current is ramped up to 2.0 mA for 30 seconds and then ramped down to 0 mA, with the total session duration matched to the active condition. This procedure was used to mimic the tingling sensa-tions typically experienced at the beginning of stimulation. Participants received identical instructions, session timing, and room setup across conditions. | Device | Exercise + sham tDCS + healthy controls, Exercise + sham tDCS + patients |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity
Time frame: Participants rate their pain at baseline, and 30 minutes after the intervention.
Pain intensity is measured using a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "the worst pain imaginable".
Blood BDNF levels
Time frame: Blood samples are collected at baseline and 20 minutes after exercise-tDCS session.
Venous blood samples are collected before and after each exercise-tDCS session. Samples are centrifuged, aliquoted, and stored at -80 °C until analysis. Blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are quantified using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), following the manufacturer's instructions.
BDNF DNA methylation
Time frame: Blood samples are collected at baseline and 20 minutes after exercise-tDCS session.
Genomic DNA is extracted from whole blood collected at baseline and after the intervention. DNA methylation of the BDNF gene is assessed using bisulfite conversion followed by quantitative analysis of methylation levels at CpG sites within promoter regions previously associated with pain regulation. Methylation levels are expressed as the percentage of methylated cytosines at each CpG site. Changes in DNA methylation are calculated as the difference between post-intervention and baseline values.
6 secondary outcomes
Pain intensity
Time frame: Participants rate their pain at immediately, 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days after the intervention.
Fatigue
Time frame: Participants rate their fatigue at baseline, and 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days after the intervention.
Fibromyalgia symptom impact
Time frame: Participants rate their FIQR at baseline, and 7 days after intervention.
Central sensitization symptoms
Time frame: Participants rate their CSI at baseline.
Pain catastrophizing
Time frame: Participants rate their PCS at baseline, and 30 minutes after the intervention.
Anxiety and depression
Time frame: Participants rate their HAD at baseline.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Active tDCS and Aerobic exercise in people with Chronic Widespread Pain and Fibromyalgia (FM), run by Vrije Universiteit Brussel at 1 site in Belgium.
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 12 inclusion and 7 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Apr 2026. 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 Belgium. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Pain in Motion research group (+32 497783956, huanyu.xiong@vub.be), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain intensity (time frame: Participants rate their pain at baseline, and 30 minutes after the intervention.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 20 Apr 2026.