VA Research Wrap Up: New findings on chronic pain management, smoking and cardiac rehab
VA’s Office of Research and Development recently published three News Briefs highlighting research findings on a chronic pain management tool for rural Women Veterans, how VA can help Veterans quit smoking and home-based cardiac rehabilitation.
New telehealth helps rural Women Veterans with chronic pain
Researchers with the Office of Rural Health at the Iowa City VA created a pain self-management telehealth tool designed specifically for rural-dwelling Women Veterans.
The program was delivered primarily over video and involved group therapy discussions along with physical activities such as walking, yoga and breathing exercises. In a pilot group of Women Veterans with chronic pain, 87% reported improvements one month later. Participants said the telehealth program helped with engagement and allowed them to connect with other Veterans with chronic pain while still retaining a sense of individual identity. The initial findings suggest this telehealth program could be a good way to help rural Women Veterans with chronic pain.
VA’s Whole Health approach helps Veterans quit smoking
VA Puget Sound researchers found VA’s Whole Health approach to health care, a patient-centered model that empowers patients to take charge of their health, can also help Veterans quit smoking. The study included more than 37,000 Veterans who smoked, half of whom participated in a variety of Whole Health services offered by VA.
Veterans who used mindfulness meditation were 25% more likely to have sustained smoking cessation, those who used Whole Health coaching were 18% more likely, and those who used acupuncture were 14% more likely, compared with Veterans who did not use these services. The study suggests these complementary health services offered by VA are an effective way to encourage Veterans to quit smoking and remain smoke-free.
Home-based cardiac rehabilitation proven effective
Iowa City VA researchers showed home-based cardiac rehabilitation can be a safe and effective way to manage cardiovascular disease.
The study enrolled 208 Veterans in a 12-month program involving weekly phone and video sessions offering tailored exercise, nutrition counseling, stress management, tobacco cessation, medication adherence and education. One year after the end of the program, participants demonstrated significant improvements in exercise capacity, depression, self-management, eating habits, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The results show home-based cardiac rehabilitation can improve access to care for Veterans unable to attend in-person rehabilitation.
For more Office of Research and Development updates, visit ORD online or go to https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/.