Tech-Enhanced Coaching to Sustain Self-Care for Veterans with Chronic Pain
Official title: Personalizing Veteran Pain Care: Adapting Coaching Interventions to Support Maintenance of Self-Care
Funded at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System · NIH-11343208 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A veteran-focused program tests a coaching approach that uses technology to help people maintain self-care habits for chronic musculoskeletal pain over the long term.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1IK2RD000361-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11343208 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain enrolled in the VA system who are open to technology-supported coaching and non-pharmacological self-care strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not using or comfortable with technology-enabled coaching or those with pain due to conditions not targeted by the intervention may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to adapt a coaching intervention for veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain and test whether incorporating technology helps people keep up self-care practices over time. The team will ground the program in a clear theoretical model and apply human-centered design to create user-friendly features. By blending coaching with digital supports, the study seeks to address barriers veterans face in sustaining self-care within the VHA Stepped Care framework. Results could guide future implementation to improve long-term pain management and quality of life for veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans with chronic pain may experience better long-term self-care, leading to reduced pain and improved functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Prior nonpharmacological coaching approaches show short-term benefits, with stronger potential when integrated with other nonpharmacological strategies; long-term maintenance evidence remains limited but promising.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rauzi, Michelle — VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Rauzi, Michelle
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.