Find recruiting clinical trials for back pain in the UK — including neuromodulation devices, regenerative medicine (stem cell and PRP therapies), digital health interventions, and novel pharmacological approaches. See your treatment pathway and where trials fit in.
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See where clinical trials fit into your treatment journey
New onset back pain lasting less than 6 weeks
Standard: Pain relief (paracetamol, NSAIDs), staying active, physiotherapy if persistent
Pain lasting 6-12 weeks despite initial treatment
Standard: Structured physiotherapy, exercise therapy, CBT for pain coping, pain management review
Persistent pain lasting more than 12 weeks
Standard: Multidisciplinary pain management, duloxetine, gabapentin/pregabalin, exercise programmes
Sciatica, spinal stenosis, or disc herniation
Standard: Nerve root injections, epidural steroids, surgical decompression if progressive
Trials testing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, mesenchymal stem cell therapy, and growth factor injections to repair degenerative discs and reduce inflammation. Early results show promise for chronic discogenic back pain.
Spinal cord stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, and peripheral nerve stimulation devices for chronic back pain that has not responded to surgery or other treatments. New high-frequency and burst stimulation modes are being tested.
App-based physiotherapy programmes, AI-powered exercise prescription, virtual reality pain management, and wearable posture correction devices. Several UK trials are testing whether digital-first approaches can replace or supplement traditional physiotherapy.
New drug classes targeting nerve growth factor (NGF), sodium channels, and neuroinflammation pathways. Anti-NGF antibodies like tanezumab have shown significant pain reduction in chronic back pain trials.
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Yes. Many trials specifically recruit patients who have had unsuccessful back surgery (failed back surgery syndrome). These often test neuromodulation devices or regenerative approaches as alternatives to repeat surgery.
Mesenchymal stem cells are injected into degenerative discs to potentially reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. Several UK trials are testing this approach for chronic discogenic back pain. Results so far are promising but not yet conclusive.
Yes. Several UK trials are testing immersive virtual reality programmes for chronic back pain management. These use guided exercises, relaxation environments, and pain education delivered through VR headsets, both in clinics and at home.
A device implanted under the skin delivers gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. It is typically offered when other treatments have not worked. New devices offer high-frequency stimulation that you cannot feel as tingling.
Use our search above to find trials matching your condition and location. Review eligibility criteria carefully.
Talk to your GP or specialist about any trials you are interested in. They can help determine if a trial is appropriate for you.
Reach out to the trial team directly using the contact information on the ClinicalTrials.gov listing.
If you meet the criteria and decide to participate, you will go through informed consent and begin the trial process.