Imagine living with fibromyalgia, where even the simplest movements can trigger excruciating pain. But what if a non-invasive treatment could change that? This Friday, December 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern, the Rethinking Clinical Trials Grand Rounds will unveil groundbreaking findings that might just offer hope. Leslie J. Crofford, Dana Dailey, and Kathleen Sluka will present “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Reduces Movement-Pain in People With Fibromyalgia: Results From FM-TIPS, a Cluster Randomized Pragmatic Trial” (https://rethinkingclinicaltrials.org/event/grand-rounds-december-5-2025-transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-reduces-movement-pain-in-people-with-fibromyalgia-results-from-fm-tips-a-cluster-randomized-pragmatic-trial-leslie-j-crof/).
Here’s the crux: FM-TIPS, an NIH Collaboratory Trial, is investigating whether adding transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to standard physical therapy can significantly reduce movement-related pain in fibromyalgia patients—compared to physical therapy alone. But here’s where it gets controversial: Could TENS, a relatively simple and accessible treatment, truly outperform traditional methods? And this is the part most people miss—the trial is backed by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases through the NIH HEAL Initiative, highlighting its potential to reshape pain management strategies. To dive deeper into FM-TIPS, visit (https://rethinkingclinicaltrials.org/demonstration-projects/fm-tips/).
The presenters bring a wealth of expertise: Leslie J. Crofford, the Wilson Family Chair in Medicine and Professor of Medicine and Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Dana Dailey, Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Iowa; and Kathleen Sluka, Professor at the University of Iowa. Their combined insights promise a session packed with actionable knowledge.
Controversy Alert: While TENS has been used for decades, its effectiveness in fibromyalgia has been debated. Does this trial finally provide the evidence needed to make it a standard treatment? We’d love to hear your thoughts—do you think TENS could be a game-changer, or is it just another overhyped therapy? Join the discussion in the comments below.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts. Join the online meeting here: (https://duke.zoom.us/j/94116764354?pwd=VRyd4P3ehNp9BD7Ua2vJawRyOXfsJv.1). Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, or someone affected by fibromyalgia, this session is bound to spark insight and inspiration.
