Chronic Pain Management
CDMRP FUNDED RESEARCH ON FUNCTIONAL RESTORATION PROGRAMS FOR CHRONIC PAIN
Posted December 5, 2024
HOW DOES CHRONIC PAIN IMPACT SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS?
Chronic pain is pain that occurs on at least half of the days for at least six months, according to the 2016 National Pain Strategy.
As defined by Congress for this research program, this type of injury may occur for Service Members and Veterans from combat or training-related physical or mental stress and trauma in the military, headaches, traumatic brain injuries, arthritis, muscular-skeletal issues, cancer, tick and vector-borne disease or other insect-transmitted disease.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain, including back, neck and non-traumatic joint problems, impacts between 31-44% of active-duty Service Members and is the leading cause of disability and reduced readiness for military duty.
Chronic pain is more common in Veteran populations than in the general public and is the most common ailment diagnosed among Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.
Untreated chronic pain can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, a decreased quality of life, and substance use disorders.
HOW IS CDMRP SUPPORTING CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT?
The congressional intent for the Chronic Pain Management Research Program, or CPMRP, encourages collaboration with federal agencies to address efforts outlined in the 2016 National Pain Strategy to reduce the challenges of pain in the United States. The efforts identified by this strategy include prevention, care, and professional education and training.
The CPMRP builds upon efforts by the FY10 DOD-VA Pain Management Taskforce and the National Institutes of Health to address research gaps in management of chronic pain within the Military Health System, including exercise plans, psychological treatment and regaining physical functionality.
WHAT IS SOME OF THE RESEARCH THE CPMRP FUNDED?
With FY21 funding from the CPMRP, Alan Peterson, Ph.D., and Katherine Comtois, Ph.D., evaluated how to improve broad adoption of functional restoration programs across the Military Health System.
This research addresses six research priorities of the CPMRP:
- Pain
- Physical functioning
- Emotional functioning
- Participant ratings of improvement and satisfaction with treatment
- Symptoms and adverse events
- Participant disposition
The CPMRP effort is a four-year study examining implementation of a Functional Occupational Rehabilitation of Troops, or FORT, program in military treatment facilities aiming to demonstrate improvements for Service Members with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
This work expands on a previously funded Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program study of FORT in a broader Service Member population that demonstrated 80% of the sample population of military personnel returned to duty.
Along with treatment, the program assists with clinical care support, such as defining the required space, equipment, training, and patient referrals.
HOW DOES THIS RESEARCH HELP?
Chronic pain can be accompanied by mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression. The rehabilitation program through FORT addresses the need for psychological counseling to improve coping skills for related conditions.
This interdisciplinary approach aims to share an increased understanding of the challenges and barriers towards effectively manage pain for patients and improve clinical care for providers.
ABOUT THE RESEARCHERS
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Katherine Comtois, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Much of her research focuses on suicide prevention, with many projects targeting the military community. Her work has been funded by the DOD, VA and others.
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Alan Peterson, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, in the Long School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
For more information about the Chronic Pain Management Research Program, please visit the research program's webpage.