Remote mind-body program to help rural Veterans manage chronic pain
Reaching Rural Veterans: Applying Mind-Body Skills for Pain Using a Whole Health Telehealth Intervention
This program will test whether group telehealth mind-body sessions (RAMP) help rural Veterans with chronic pain reduce pain, improve daily function, and support wellbeing.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Minneapolis, Minnesota) |
| Trial ID | NCT07541599 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized clinical trial tests a multi-component complementary and integrative intervention (RAMP) delivered via group telehealth to rural Veterans with chronic pain. The program combines pain education, mindfulness, pain-specific exercises, and cognitive behavioral strategies into a cohesive, scalable curriculum. Participants are randomized within the VA system and complete remote group sessions, with outcomes including pain interference, function, wellbeing, and opioid use. The trial targets rural-dwelling Veterans who report frequent pain and have internet access for telehealth participation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are rural-dwelling Veterans aged 18 or older with chronic pain that interferes with daily life, who have internet access and are willing to join regular group telehealth sessions.
Not a fit: Patients with severe uncontrolled psychiatric or substance use disorders, those already enrolled in similar interventions, or those without reliable internet access are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, RAMP could give rural Veterans accessible, non-opioid tools to better manage pain, improve function, and potentially reduce opioid use.
How similar studies have performed: Related mind-body and multimodal complementary interventions have shown benefits for chronic pain, but delivering a combined program via group telehealth specifically to rural Veterans is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: (1) 18 years of age or older (2) rural-dwelling based on U.S. Health Services Research Administration Criteria (3) chronic pain based on two qualifying pain diagnoses in their electronic health record (EHR) within the same diagnostic category, at least 90 days apart, during the previous 2 years; (4) self-reported pain on at least most days in the past 3 months, (5) Brief Pain Inventory Interference subscale score ≥ 4/10; (6) access to a device with internet, (7) willingness to engage in intervention-specific procedures (e.g., meet remotely online for sessions), and (8) an email address listed in the EHR. Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria: (1) severe, poorly controlled psychiatric or substance use disorder (identified by chart review); (2) active members of advisory panels for the study, (3) enrollment in another research study for pain, (4) enrollment in a similar study (5) enrollment in a similar facilitated, multi-week, multi-modal complementary and integrative health program.
Where this trial is running
Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Minneapolis VAMC — Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Roni Evans, DC, PhD, MS — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Diana Burgess, PhD
- Email: diana.burgess@va.gov
- Phone: 612-467-1591
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.