{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Transforming Veteran Rehabilitation Care: Learnings from a Remote Digital Approach for Musculoskeletal Pain.
{Author}: Areias AC;Doverspike D;Brostek DF;Janela D;Erwin MS;Pinter JM;Ficke JR;Costa F;
{Journal}: Healthcare (Basel)
{Volume}: 12
{Issue}: 15
{Year}: 2024 Jul 31
{Factor}: 3.16
{DOI}: 10.3390/healthcare12151518
{Abstract}: While musculoskeletal pain (MSP) stands as the most prevalent health condition among Veterans, timely and high-quality care is often hindered due to access barriers. Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a healthier lifestyle among Veterans, aimed to assess innovative approaches to veteran care. This is a single-arm pilot study investigating the feasibility, clinical outcomes, engagement, and satisfaction of a remote multimodal digital care program among Veterans with MSP. The impact of deployment experience on outcomes was explored as a secondary aim. From 75 eligible Veterans, 61 started the program, reporting baseline pain frequently comorbid with mental distress. Program acceptance was suggested by the high completion rate (82%) and engagement levels, alongside high satisfaction (9.5/10, SD 1.0). Significant improvements were reported in all clinical outcomes: pain (1.98 points, 95%CI 0.13; 3.84, p = 0.036); mental distress, with those reporting at least moderate baseline depression ending the program with mild symptoms (8.50 points, 95%CI: 6.49; 10.51, p = 0.012); daily activity impairment (13.33 points, 95%CI 1.31; 25.34, p = 0.030). Deployed Veterans recovered similarly to their counterparts. Overall, the above results underscore the potential of a remote digital intervention to expand Veterans' access to timely MSP care.