Improving pain management for veterans using non-drug strategies

Implementation of a Pragmatic Trial of Whole Health Team vs. Primary Care Group Education to Promote Non-Pharmacological Strategies to Improve Pain, Function and Quality of Life in Veterans

NIH-funded research Northern California Institute/res/edu · NIH-10533361

This study is looking to help veterans with chronic pain by trying out two different ways to manage pain—one that focuses on a whole health approach with a supportive team and another that uses standard group education—so that over 600 veterans can find better ways to feel less pain and improve their daily lives over a year.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthern California Institute/res/edu NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10533361 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing chronic pain care for veterans by implementing a Whole Health approach that emphasizes non-pharmacological self-management techniques. The study will compare two different methods of pain management: an intensive Whole Health Team approach and a standard Primary Care Group Education method. Over 600 veterans with moderate to severe chronic pain will participate, receiving tailored support for 12 months to help reduce pain and improve their quality of life. The research aims to gather feedback from participants to refine the implementation of these pain management strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans experiencing moderate to severe chronic pain, regardless of their current use of opioid therapy.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic pain or those who are not veterans may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies that enhance the quality of life for veterans suffering from chronic pain.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using non-pharmacological approaches for pain management, indicating that this method could be effective.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.