NCT07841509 · Theranica
The Effect of Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) on Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) in Migraine and Fibromyalgia
What this study is about
Migraine and Fibromyalgia (FM) are chronic pain disorders characterized by altered central pain processing and impaired endogenous pain inhibition. FM presents with widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive symptoms and is strongly associated with central sensitization.
View original scientific description
Migraine and Fibromyalgia (FM) are chronic pain disorders characterized by altered central pain processing and impaired endogenous pain inhibition. FM presents with widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive symptoms and is strongly associated with central sensitization. Migraine similarly involves dysfunction of central inhibitory and descending pain modulation, with evidence of abnormal cortical excitability, impaired sensory habituation, and alterations in pain-related evoked potentials. Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) is a measure of the body's endogenous pain-inhibitory mechanism, based on the phenomenon whereby the pain evoked by one painful stimulus (the test stimulus) is reduced by the concurrent application of a second, remote nociceptive stimulus (the conditioning stimulus). It is widely regarded as a proxy for the function of descending pain-modulatory pathways. CPM is used as an experimental biomarker of descending pain inhibition across chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and migraine. Studies consistently demonstrate reduced inhibitory responses in both migraine and fibromyalgia compared with healthy controls, indicating a robust deficit in descending pain modulatory systems. Combining a contact heat test stimulus (TS) with a cold pressor conditioning stimulus (CS) is a widely used and validated CPM paradigm. Nerivio, a Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) device, is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological therapy indicated for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine. The REN device is worn on the upper arm and delivers peripheral electrical stimulation to activate CPM-related descending inhibitory pathways and reduce migraine pain. This distal stimulation approach is designed to activate CPM-related circuits by recruiting brainstem pain-regulatory centers and modulating central nociceptive processing. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is designed to assess the effect of a single REN session on CPM and cortical pain processing in adults with migraine or fibromyalgia. Using a standardized CPM induction protocol, the study will evaluate changes in behavioral CPM responses, before, during, and after REN vs. sham stimulation in patients with migraine or fibromyalgia. This study aims to clarify whether REN enhances descending pain inhibition and pain processing in populations with impaired endogenous pain modulation.
Interventions
DEVICE
Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) device
Nerivio is a Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) Device. It is approved for the acute and/or preventive treatment of migraine from the age of 8 and above.
Primary outcome measures
Between-groups (Active vs Placebo) difference in mean change of Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) activity from post-treatment (CPM4) to baseline (CPM1), measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10).
Time frame: 1 hour
Difference between the Active and Placebo groups in the mean change of pain levels following Test Stimulus (TS) at 15 minutes post-treatment with the REN wearable as the Conditioned Stimulus (CS) versus pain levels following Test Stimulus (TS) under cold water as Conditioned Stimulus (CS): (CPM4 REN - CPM1 REN) - (CPM4 Placebo - CPM1 Placebo) = (P5 REN - P2 REN) - (P5 Placebo - P2 Placebo) The pain range is between 0 to 10. CPM4 is the difference between the pain level with REN as CS and pain prior treatment without Conditioned Stimulus (CS). CPM1 is the difference between the pain level with Cold Water as Conditioned Stimulus (CS) and pain prior treatment without Conditioned Stimulus (CS). Thus, the expected value is a negative number and higher number means higher CPM activity.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- \- Adults diagnosed with migraine and/or fibromyalgia above 18 years old. For migraine:
- Has been diagnosed with migraine according to the ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for migraine
- Experiencing 6-24 headache days per month
- Uses up to 1 prescribed preventive medication for migraine
- Did not make any changes to their migraine medications treatment in the month prior to the study enrollment. For Fibromyalgia:
- Has been diagnosed with FM according to the ACR 2010/6 diagnostic criteria for FM with disease duration for at least 6 months prior to study enrolment.
- Did not make any changes to their FM medications in the month prior to the study enrollment.
- Naïve to the Nerivio device.
- Must be able and willing to comply with the protocol.
- Provides written informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
- Has an implanted electrical and/or neurostimulation device (e.g., cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, vagus nerve neurostimulator, deep brain stimulator, spinal stimulator, bone growth stimulator cochlear implant, sphenopalatine ganglion stimulator bladder stimulator, or occipital nerve stimulator).
- Patients with severe depression.
- Patients with known epilepsy. Use of any analgesics (OTC or prescribed) 24 hours prior to the study enrollment.
- Use of Cannabis within 10 days prior to the study enrollment.
- Use of opioids 2 months prior to the study enrollment.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
Where
- Bridgewater, New Jersey
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Sep 25, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations