An interventional study of Empowered Relief (ER) Therapy in Chronic Pelvic Pain, sponsored by University of Chicago. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-14.
Sponsored by University of Chicago · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Among 151 studies in Pelvic Pain with a site in United States — 36 open to participants now, 39 under way, 1 of them phase 3. Pelvic Pain · United States.
Among the 151 studies in Pelvic Pain with a site in United States, this one is the 29th largest by planned enrollment of the 123 interventional ones, is one of 14 that started in 2026, is one of 71 with no phase, reaches primary completion later than 20 of the 38 other live ones, and was the 150th registered.
375 studies on the registry are indexed under Pelvic Pain; 89 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 100 is above the median of 60 across 277 interventional studies indexed under Pelvic Pain.
Browse Pelvic Pain studies →36 of the 151 studies in Pelvic Pain with a site in United States are open now, in 1 country. Each count lists the studies.
Of the 59 Pelvic Pain studies recruiting now, 21 (36%) set no upper age limit and 36 (61%) stop at 75 or younger; 5 take children under 18; 10 take healthy volunteers.
This study: 18 Years to 70 Years · female · no healthy volunteers.
The full table on the hub →151 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
First in 1998; this study’s year is marked. 14 started in 2026.
Median enrollment 50 across the 123 interventional studies, 104 across the 28 observational. Of the 96 that completed or were terminated, 35 (36%) have results posted.
18 of 151 have an industry lead sponsor. The 10 most frequent:
University of Chicago is the lead sponsor of 924 studies on the registry; 185 are open to participants now.
Of its 103 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 72 (70%) have results posted.
University of Chicago has 2 studies filed under Pelvic Pain — fewer than ten, so there is no comparison to draw.
15 of the studies in Pelvic Pain with a site in United States that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 0 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT06110065University of ArizonaCT-guided Pudendal Nerve Cryoneurolysis for Palliation of Malignancy-induced Pelvic Pain | 2026-11 |
| NCT05354869University of California, Los AngelesTransvaginal Electrical Stimulation for Myofascial Pelvic Pain | 2026-12 |
| NCT03794466University of Kansas Medical CenterQuantify the Degree of Pain Relief of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Following Gonadal Vein Embolization | 2026-12-31 |
| NCT06083597Weill Medical College of Cornell UniversityDevelopment of a Patient-reported Outcome Measure for Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain | 2026-12-31 |
| NCT06611501Boston Children's HospitalGlycemic Regulation as Endometriosis Adjunct Treatment | 2027-01 |
Among the 151 studies in Pelvic Pain with a site in United States, from their registry updates:
Primary Aim
To determine if the addition of empowered relief therapy to standard treatment is superior to standard treatment alone in patients with chronic pelvic pain as measured by pain interference in patients with chronic pelvic pain.
The investigators hypothesize that patients will show improved pain interference at two-weeks post-baseline. In addition, the investigators hypothesize that patients receiving ER (Empowered Relief) will show a better trajectory of pain interference over time, relative to the control group.
Secondary Aims
To compare pain intensity scores (as measured by NRS-The Numerical Rating Scale pain) with the addition of empowered relief therapy to standard treatment in patients with chronic pelvic pain.
a. The investigators hypothesize that patients with the addition of ER to standard treatment will show greater improvement in pain intensity scores.
To compare health related quality of life scores with the addition of empowered relief therapy to standard treatment in patients with chronic pelvic pain.
This will be a pilot single site, randomized controlled clinical trial comparing the addition of empowered relief therapy to standard treatment alone in 100 women with chronic pelvic pain. Patients randomized to standard treatment alone will be offered to attend an empowered relief session after 12 weeks if they are not satisfied with their symptom control. Patients presenting to the Gynecology Clinics at the UChicago Medicine will be approached for inclusion if they desire treatment for chronic pelvic pain and meet inclusion criteria.
Consenting participants will be randomized to referral to Empowered Relief session within 4 weeks in addition to their standard treatment or standard treatment alone. Both groups will receive standard treatment for chronic pelvic pain which may include medications (hormonal, muscle relaxants, neuromodulators, anti-depressants), pelvic floor physical therapy and/or trigger point/nerve block injections for pain relief. Specifics of standard treatment will be documented for both treatment groups. Both groups will complete baseline questionnaires assessing pain interference, catastrophizing, pain intensity, and quality of life as well as follow up questionnaires at 2 weeks and 12 weeks after ER class or initiating standard therapy (See Schedule of Measures).
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The participants will receive standard treatment for chronic pelvic pain which may include medications (hormonal, muscle relaxants, neuromodulators, anti-depressants), pelvic floor physical therapy and/or trigger point/nerve block injections for pain relief. Specifics of standard treatment will be documented for and they will complete baseline questionnaires assessing pain interference, catastrophizing, pain intensity, and quality of life as well as follow up questionnaires at 2 weeks and 12 weeks after initiating standard therapy
Randomized to referral to Empowered Relief session within 4 weeks in addition to their standard treatment or standard treatment alone. Theys will receive standard treatment for chronic pelvic pain which may include medications (hormonal, muscle relaxants, neuromodulators, anti-depressants), pelvic floor physical therapy and/or trigger point/nerve block injections for pain relief. Specifics of standard treatment will be documented and they will complete baseline questionnaires assessing pain interference, catastrophizing, pain intensity, and quality of life as well as follow up questionnaires at 2 weeks and 12 weeks after ER class or initiating standard therapy
Behavioral: Empowered Relief (ER) Therapy
The Empowered Relief classes will be offered virtually via the Zoom platform every 2 weeks. Approved study personnel will contact patients to remind them of the upcoming ER group and to troubleshoot technological challenges. The certified ER leader uses a prepared, standardized PowerPoint presentation and lecture notes. Class involves didactic material about pain and strategies to manage it as well as experiential exercises including relaxation, reframing, and developing a pain coping toolbox. Participants are welcome to ask questions, but because time is limited, they will also be encouraged to pose questions in the chat box, stay after class, or contact the leader directly. The class is about 120 mins long and there are brief breaks at approximately 45 mins, 75 mins, and 105 mins. Nancy Beckman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in chronic pain conditions and already runs ER sessions twice a month. She along with her trainees who are specializing in chronic pain and h
Determining if the addition of empowered relief therapy in addition to standard treatment is superior to standard treatment alone in patients with chronic pelvic pain as measured by pain interference in patients with chronic pelvic pain
1\. PROMIS pain interference scale score (an 8-item questionnaire which measures the extent to which pain hinders engagement with various life activities, including physical, cognitive, emotional, recreational, and social activities, as well as sleep and enjoyment of life). One represents never or normal functioning, and the higher number means always or more interference. The minimum raw score is 8 and the maximum raw score is 40.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Pain Catastrophization Scale (PCS)
Pain Catastrophization Scale (PCS) scor, a 13-item self-report questionnaire that measures the extent to which people experience catastrophic thoughts and feelings when experiencing pain. 13 statements rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 ("not at all") to 4 ("all the time") where higher scores reflect higher levels of catastrophic thinking.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scale score (a pain assessment tool that uses a 0-to-10 scale, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable," to allow patients to self-report their pain intensity)
Time frame: 12 weeks
36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)
36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) QOL scale score (a 36-item, patient-reported survey used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) across eight domains, providing summary scores for physical and mental health components). The higher scores indicate a better outcome or more favorable health state.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8)
Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) Depression index score (an 8-item self-reported measure used to assess depressive symptoms). Each item is rated from 0 to 3. The higher score means greater severity of depressive symptoms.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Anxiety index score (a brief, 7-item self-report questionnaire used to screen for and assess the severity of generalized anxiety disorder). Each of the seven items is scored from 0 to 3, with the total score ranging from 0 to 21. The higher score means increased severity of anxiety.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Oct 2026; primary completion for Oct 2027, 12 months later.
Of 110 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Pelvic Pain, half reached primary completion within 17 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 30. This study's planned 12 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 114 studies reached it within 17 months; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 30.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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