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Qigong for Pain in Spinal Cord Injury

This study, called HAPPINESS, is looking into whether Qigong, a traditional mind-body practice, can help people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) manage chronic neuropathic pain. Current pain treatments often have limited benefits and risks. This study wants to see if Qigong is a practical and effective option for you. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older, medically stable, have neuropathic pain (rated 4 or higher), and can participate in a remote Qigong program online. The study will measure how many people join, how many complete the program, and how many drop out, to understand if Qigong is a good option for future, larger studies. The study aims to enroll 40 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment. It plans to enroll 40 participants.
What's involved
You would participate in a Qigong introduction class and a 12-week remote Qigong program. You would also complete a short 2-minute pain management survey daily through your phone or computer.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 6 months after the intervention ends.

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NCT06140355

cHAnging the Perceived Pain INtensity in divErSe Populations With Spinal Cord Injury

Recruiting
NAAges 18+Interventional
University of Minnesota
~40 participants
Updated 2026-08-19 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:QigongDaily 2 min pain management survey

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 3 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
recruitment rates
Measured over 6 months post-intervention
+6 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Explore related trials

Spinal Cord Injury

Where it's being run

3 sites across 3 states
Florida1
Minnesota1
Texas1

Study leadership

  • Ann Van de Winckel, PhD, MSPT, PT · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

Who to contact

Ann Van de Winckel, PhD, MSPT, PT
[email protected]
612-625-1191
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18+ years old
medically stable
with neuropathic pain 4 or above on the numeric pain rating scale + screened with painDETECT
willing to participate in a remote Qigong intervention (from any location with internet connection)
fluent in English or Spanish
access to the internet and a computer/iPad or smartphone

Exclusion

uncontrolled seizure disorder
cognitive impairment and/or communicative disability (e.g., due to brain injury) preventing them from following directions or from learning
ventilator dependency
major medical complications
pressure ulcers hindering prolonged sitting or lying down
(planning to become) pregnant or planning a major surgery during the study (given study duration, regular Qigong practice, and frequent check-ins)
regular Tai Chi or Qigong practice in the past 6 months (3x/week or more)
currently engaged in other rehabilitation programs that would influence outcomes

What this trial measures

  • recruitment rates6 months post-intervention

    The proportion of potential participants contacted who agreed to participate

  • the recruitment rate for complete and incomplete SCI6 months post-intervention

    Ratio of complete/incomplete SCI.

  • Attrition rates in Qigong and Manage My Pain app group.6 months post-intervention

    Proportion of people withdrawing from the study in either group. Drop-out due to unrelated reasons will count as part of the general attrition.

  • intervention adherence6 months post-intervention

    the website log times will indicate the date and duration that the video is accessed. From this information, we will collect the number of minutes that they practice. This information will be checked with the self-report during the weekly calls, in which they will report the number of minutes per week they have practiced.

  • the frequency of use of the Manage My Pain app (recommended daily check in)6 months post-intervention

    Weekly/ monthly check-ins (reporting min/week of practice) to identify facilitators and barriers to practicing Qigong. The website logs time and duration of video access. A Qigong certified instructor will do 1:1 Qigong session with each participant via zoom monthly for quality control/to give guidance.

  • Feasibility of adhering to the collection of quantitative measure 16 months post-intervention

    % Adherence in completing all assessments during the study and in the monthly follow-up phase

  • Feasibility of adhering to the collection of quantitative measure 26 months post-intervention

    % Adherence to wearing Fitbit Charge 6 and sending the data through their phone App