Perceptions of providers and administrators in the Veterans Health Administration regarding complementary and alternative medicine.

BACKGROUND: The integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies into a large organization such as the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) requires cultural change and deliberate planning to ensure feasibility and buy-in from staff and patients. At present, there is limited knowledge of VHA patient care providers' and administrators' viewpoints regarding CAM therapies and their implementation. OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to qualitatively examine knowledge, attitudes, perceived value and perceived barriers, and/or facilitators to CAM program implementation among VHA providers and administrators at a large VHA facility. RESEARCH DESIGN: We are reporting the qualitative interview portion of a mixed-methods study. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight participants (patient care providers or administrators) were purposely chosen to represent a spectrum of positions and services. Participants' experience with and exposure to CAM therapies varied. MEASURES: Individual interviews were conducted using a semi-structured format and were digitally recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes. RESULTS: Recurrent themes included: a range of knowledge about CAM; benefits for patients and staff; and factors that can be facilitators or barriers including evidence-based practice or perceived lack thereof, prevailing culture, leadership at all levels, and lack of position descriptions for CAM therapists. Participants rated massage, meditation, acupuncture, and yoga as priorities for promotion across the VHA. CONCLUSIONS: Despite perceived challenges, providers and administrators recognized the value of CAM and potential for expansion of CAM within the VHA. Interview results could inform the process of incorporating CAM into a plan for meeting VHA Strategic Goal One of personalized, proactive, patient-driven health care across the VHA.

Self-administered acupressure for veterans with chronic back pain: Study design and methodology of a type 1 hybrid effectiveness implementation randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain is prevalent and disabling in Veterans, but effective pain management is challenging. Clinical practice guidelines emphasize multimodal pain management including evidence-based complementary and integrative health treatments such as acupressure as a first line of care. Unfortunately, the ability to replicate interventions, cost, resources, and limited access are implementation barriers. Self-administered acupressure has shown positive effects on pain and can be practiced anywhere with little to no side effects. METHODS/DESIGN: The aims of this Type 1 hybrid effectiveness implementation randomized controlled trial are 1) to determine effectiveness of a self-administered acupressure protocol at improving pain interference and secondary outcomes of fatigue, sleep quality, and disability in 300 Veterans with chronic low back pain, and 2) evaluate implementation barriers and facilitators to scale-up acupressure utilization within Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Participants randomized to the intervention will receive instruction on acupressure application using an app that facilitates daily practice for 6 weeks. During weeks 6 through 10, participants will discontinue acupressure to determine sustainability of effects. Participants randomized to waitlist control will continue their usual care for pain management and receive study materials at the end of the study period. Outcomes will be collected at baseline and at 6- and 10-weeks post baseline. The primary outcome is pain interference, measured by the PROMIS pain interference scale. Using established frameworks and a mixed methods approach, we will evaluate intervention implementation. DISCUSSION: If acupressure is effective, we will tailor strategies to support implementation in the VHA based on study findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05423145.

Integrating Massage Therapy Into the Health Care of Female Veterans.

Background: Female veterans experience higher rates of chronic pain, depression, and anxiety than do male veterans. Gynecologic examinations and procedures can be stressful, painful, and anxiety provoking. Research has shown that massage can help reduce pain and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between massage and well-being in female veterans. Methods: A pre- and postvisit study design was used. In advance of their clinic visit, female veterans were asked by clinic staff whether they would like a relaxation massage in conjunction with their visit. Effleurage massages were administered by licensed volunteer massage therapists in a private space and performed on the back, neck, hands/arms, legs/feet. Patients rated their pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, anxiety, shortness of breath, relaxation, and inner peace pre- and postmassage on 0 to 10 scales. Demographics and data were abstracted from the medical records. Results: Results are based on the first massage received by 96 individuals: A majority of participants were aged ≤ 40 years (53%) and were White women (68%). Most (70%) were scheduled for an invasive procedure (eg, pelvic examination, biopsy). Seventy-nine percent had a history of chronic pain; 65% had a diagnosis of depression. Mean scores for pain intensity decreased by 1.9 points, pain unpleasantness by 2.0, and anxiety by 2.4. Relaxation increased by 4.3 points and sense of inner peace by 3.5 points. These changes were all statistically significant (P < .001). Conclusions: Results from this pilot study suggest massage therapy may be an effective, inexpensive, and safe treatment for pain and/or anxiety in female veterans attending a gynecology appointment. Further research should assess the effects of massage therapy in female veterans with chronic pain and coexistent mental health conditions.

A Mobile and Web-Based Self-Directed Complementary and Integrative Health Program for Veterans and Their Partners (Mission Reconnect): Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and integrative health (CIH) is a viable solution to PTSD and chronic pain. Many veterans believe CIH can be performed only by licensed professionals in a health care setting. Health information technology can bring effective CIH to veterans and their partners. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the rationale, design, and methods of the Mission Reconnect protocol to deliver mobile and Web-based complementary and integrative health programs to veterans and their partners (eg, spouse, significant other, caregiver, or family member). METHODS: This three-site, 4-year mixed-methods randomized controlled trial uses a wait-list control to determine the effects of mobile and Web-based CIH programs for veterans and their partners, or dyads. The study will use two arms (ie, treatment intervention arm and wait-list control arm) in a clinical sample of veterans with comorbid pain and posttraumatic stress disorder, and their partners. The study will evaluate the effectiveness and perceived value of the Mission Reconnect program in relation to physical and psychological symptoms, global health, and social outcomes. RESULTS: Funding for the study began in November 2018, and we are currently in the process of recruitment screening and data randomization for the study. Primary data collection will begin in May 2019 and continue through May 2021. Projected participants per site will be 76 partners/dyads, for a total of 456 study participants. Anticipated study results will be published in November 2022. CONCLUSIONS: This work highlights innovative delivery of CIH to veterans and their partners for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03593772; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03593772 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/77Q2giwtw). INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/13666.

Impact of provider self-management education, patient self-efficacy, and health status on patient adherence in heart failure in a Veterans Administration population.

To address the need for more information on predictors of adherence to heart failure (HF) self-management regimens, this study analyzed surveys completed by 259 HF patients receiving care at 2 Veterans Affairs hospitals in 2003. Linear multivariable regression models were used to examine general health status, HF-specific health status (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire) self-management education, and self-efficacy as predictors of self-reported adherence to salt intake and exercise regimens. Self-management education was provided most often for salt restriction (87%) followed by exercise (78%). In multivariable regression analyses, education about salt restriction (P=.01), weight reduction (P=.0004), self-efficacy (P=.03), and health status (P=.003) were significantly associated with patient-reported adherence to salt restriction. In a similar model, self-efficacy (P=.006) and health status (P< or = .0001), but not exercise education, were significantly associated with patient-reported exercise adherence. Findings suggest that provider interventions may lead to improved adherence with HF self-management and thus improvements in patients' health.

Providers' and Administrators' Perceptions of Complementary and Integrative Health Practices Across the Veterans Health Administration.

OBJECTIVES: Use of complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies is being promoted by the Veterans Health Administration (VA), but promotion may not equate to adoption. The purpose of this study was to explore whether perceptions regarding CIH at one VA medical center (VAMC) were similar to perceptions from a sample of other VAMCs. DESIGN: This article reports a subset of qualitative findings from a mixed-methods study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Sites were recruited through a VA-wide CIH listserver. On the basis of site description (e.g., therapies offered, interest in CIH), sustained site interest, and geographic location, recorded interviews of 22 persons were conducted at 6 sites across the country. OUTCOME MEASURES: Interviewees were asked the same questions as the single-site VAMC study respondents. RESULTS: Variable access to CIH services across the VA created the need for workarounds. Multiple barriers (e.g., limited space and challenging credentialing) and facilitators (e.g., strong champion and high veteran demand) were cited. Respondents described nonpharmacologic pain control, the usefulness in treating mental health and/or post-traumatic stress disorder issues, and improvement of staff morale as additional reasons to promote CIH. Findings confirmed those from the earlier single-site VAMC phase of the study. Even the highest-performing sites reported struggling to meet veterans' demands for delivery of CIH. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of active-duty military personnel report the use of at least one type of CIH therapy. As active-duty personnel transition to veteran status, both their physical and mental healthcare needs can potentially benefit from CIH therapies. The VA must actively support local enthusiastic CIH proponents and receive congressional support if it is to actually meet its stated goal of providing personalized, proactive, patient-driven healthcare through the promotion of comprehensive CIH services to veterans.

Diabetes treatment among VA patients with comorbid serious mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychoses, may be less likely to receive adequate care for chronic medical conditions than patients without serious mental illness. The quality and outcomes of diabetes care were compared in an observational study among patients with and without serious mental illness. METHODS: National data were studied for 36,546 individuals receiving care within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. Widely used diabetes quality-of-care measures and intermediate outcomes were compared for patients with diabetes and serious mental illness and age-matched patients with diabetes who did not have a serious mental illness. Patients' use of health services was also examined. RESULTS: During fiscal year 1998, patients with diabetes and serious mental illness were as likely as patients with diabetes alone to have their hemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and cholesterol measured; both groups had comparable A1c, LDL, and cholesterol values. Patients with diabetes and serious mental illness had more outpatient visits, both primary care and specialty visits, and made more multiclinic visits, including visits to both primary care and mental health services on the same day. CONCLUSIONS: In the VA, patients with diabetes and serious mental illness appear to receive diabetes care that is comparable with the care that other patients with diabetes receive, possibly because of increased levels of contact with the health system and the VA's integration of medical and mental health services.

Perceptions of other integrative health therapies by Veterans with pain who are receiving massage.

Veterans are increasingly using complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies to manage chronic pain and other troubling symptoms that significantly impair health and quality of life. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is exploring ways to meet the demand for access to CIH, but little is known about Veterans' perceptions of the VA's efforts. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted interviews of 15 inpatients, 8 receiving palliative care, and 15 outpatients receiving CIH in the VA. Pain was the precipitating factor in all participants' experience. Participants were asked about their experience in the VA and their opinions about which therapies would most benefit other Veterans. Participants reported that massage was well-received and resulted in decreased pain, increased mobility, and decreased opioid use. Major challenges were the high ratio of patients to CIH providers, the difficulty in receiving CIH from fee-based CIH providers outside of the VA, cost issues, and the role of administrative decisions in the uneven deployment of CIH across the VA. If the VA is to meet its goal of offering personalized, proactive, patient-centered care nationwide then it must receive support from Congress while considering Veterans' goals and concerns to ensure that the expanded provision of CIH improves outcomes.

Quality indicators and monitoring of mental health services: what do frontline providers think?

OBJECTIVE: Many health care organizations are giving feedback to mental health care providers about their performance on quality indicators. Mental health care providers may be more likely to respond to this feedback if they believe the indicators are meaningful and within their "sphere of influence." The authors surveyed frontline mental health care providers to elicit their perceptions of widely used indicators for quality monitoring in mental health services. METHOD: The survey was distributed to a stratified, random sample of 1,094 eligible mental health care providers at 52 Department of Veterans Affairs facilities; 684 (63%) returned the survey. The survey elicited perceptions of 21 widely used indicators in five quality domains (access, utilization, satisfaction, process, and outcomes). The data were analyzed with descriptive and multivariate methods. RESULTS: Most mental health care providers (65%) felt that feedback about these widely used indicators would be valuable in efforts to improve care; however, only 38% felt able to influence performance related to these monitors and just 13% were willing to accept incentives/risk for their performance. Providers were most positive about satisfaction monitors and preferentially included satisfaction, access, and process monitors in performance sets to measure overall quality. Despite providers' relatively positive views of monitors, 41% felt that monitoring programs did not assist them in improving care. Providers cited numerous barriers to improving care processes. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health care providers may be more receptive to monitoring efforts if satisfaction, access, and process monitors are emphasized. However, providers' views of monitoring programs appear to be less affected by concerns about specific monitors than by concerns about the accuracy of quality measurement and barriers to changing care processes.

Massage as adjuvant therapy in the management of acute postoperative pain: a preliminary study in men.

BACKGROUND: Opioid analgesia alone may not fully relieve all aspects of acute postoperative pain. Complementary medicine techniques used as adjuvant therapies have the potential to improve pain management and palliate postoperative distress. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective randomized clinical trial compared pain relief after major operations in 202 patients who received one of three nursing interventions: massage, focused attention, or routine care. Interventions were performed twice daily starting 24 hours after the operation through postoperative day 7. Perceived pain was measured each morning. RESULTS: The rate of decline in the unpleasantness of postoperative pain was accelerated by massage (p = 0.05). Massage also accelerated the rate of decline in the intensity of postoperative pain but this effect was not statistically significant. Use of opioid analgesics was not altered significantly by the interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Massage may be a useful adjuvant therapy for the management of acute postoperative pain. Its greatest effect appears to be on the affective component (ie, unpleasantness) of the pain.

Integrating massage therapy within the palliative care of veterans with advanced illnesses: an outcome study.

AIMS: To describe the integration of massage therapy into a palliative care service and to examine the relationship between massage and symptoms in patients with advanced illnesses. METHODS: Between April 1, 2009, and July 31, 2010, 153 patients received massage at the VA Ann Arbor Health Care System. Data on pain, anxiety, dyspnea, relaxation, and inner peace were collected pre and post massage. Diagnoses, chronic pain, and social support were also abstracted. Analysis of covariance was used to examine changes over time. RESULTS: All short-term changes in symptoms showed improvement and all were statistically significant. Pain intensity decreased by 1.65 (0-10 scale, P < .001), anxiety decreased by 1.52 (0-10 scale, P < .001), patients' sense of relaxation increased by 2.92 (0-10 scale, P < .001), and inner peace improved by 1.80 (0-10 scale, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Massage is a useful tool for improving symptom management and reducing suffering in palliative care patients.

Management of chronic noncancer pain by VA primary care providers: when is pain control a priority?

OBJECTIVE: To examine how primary care providers (PCPs) prioritize management of chronic pain in patients with multiple chronic conditions and to determine PCP perspectives on chronic pain management and pain treatment resources. STUDY DESIGN: Survey mailed to a random sample of 500 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) PCPs at VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics. METHODS: After reading a vignette describing a patient with multiple chronic conditions and chronic pain, PCPs were asked to identify the 3 most important issues to address during the visit. The survey also asked about the availability of services, and level of confidence and satisfaction with chronic pain management. RESULTS: A total of 279 eligible PCPs (57%) responded to the survey, 77% of whom identified pain control among the top 3 treatment priorities. PCPs who did not choose pain control were more likely to indicate that chronic pain patients should see a specialist (54% vs 35%, P = .006) and were less confident about using opioid analgesics (52% vs 72%, P = .002). Of the respondents, 86% reported psychology or mental health clinics were available at their clinic site; 71%, physical therapy; and 20%, multidisciplinary pain clinics. Most PCPs (74%) were satisfied with the quality of care they provide for patients with chronic pain but only 30% were satisfied with access to pain specialty services. CONCLUSION: Additional training opportunities for PCPs and more effective use of ancillary services may be needed for further improvements in care for chronic pain patients.

Social connectedness and patient recovery after major operations.

BACKGROUND: Social connectedness is thought to play an important role in overall health and well being. We hypothesized that social network size and other measures of social connectedness would predict perceived pain intensity, unpleasantness, and anxiety in veterans recovering after major thoracic or abdominal operations and influence postoperative complications and length of stay. STUDY DESIGN: Six hundred five patients from two Veterans Affairs' medical centers who participated in a randomized controlled trial of massage as adjuvant treatment for postoperative pain were the subjects of this study. Subjects' social networks were assessed by the numbers of friends or relatives an individual had and how frequently contact was made with members of their social network. Subjective outcomes were rated with visual analogue scales for 5 postoperative days. Daily opiate use, postoperative complications, and length of stay were also recorded. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) age was 63.8 years (+/-10.2 years) and 98.5% of participants were men. Those reporting a greater social network were older and had lower preoperative pain intensity, unpleasantness, and state and trait anxiety (p < 0.001). Considerably less pain intensity, unpleasantness, and opiate use were associated with increasing social network size during the first 5 postoperative days. After adjusting for preoperative values of pain and anxiety, these relationships were no longer statistically significant. Smaller social network size was associated with the likelihood of length of stay >or= 7 days (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the effect of social networks on surgical outcomes can be mediated by their effect on levels of preoperative pain and anxiety. Patients should be screened preoperatively for pain and anxiety because these are strong predictors of a more difficult postoperative recovery.

Acute postoperative pain management using massage as an adjuvant therapy: a randomized trial.

HYPOTHESIS: Adjuvant massage therapy improves pain management and postoperative anxiety among many patients who experience unrelieved postoperative pain. Pharmacologic interventions alone may not address all of the factors involved in the experience of pain. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Indianapolis, Indiana. PATIENTS: Six hundred five veterans (mean age, 64 years) undergoing major surgery from February 1, 2003, through January 31, 2005. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned to the following 3 groups: (1) control (routine care), (2) individualized attention from a massage therapist (20 minutes), or (3) back massage by a massage therapist each evening for up to 5 postoperative days. Main Outcome Measure Short- and long-term (> 4 days) pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and anxiety measured by visual analog scales. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, patients in the massage group experienced short-term (preintervention vs postintervention) decreases in pain intensity (P = .001), pain unpleasantness (P < .001), and anxiety (P = .007). In addition, patients in the massage group experienced a faster rate of decrease in pain intensity (P = .02) and unpleasantness (P = .01) during the first 4 postoperative days compared with the control group. There were no differences in the rates of decrease in long-term anxiety, length of stay, opiate use, or complications across the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Massage is an effective and safe adjuvant therapy for the relief of acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing major operations.

Personal and treatment factors associated with foot self-care among veterans with diabetes.

We developed and validated a survey of foot self-care education and behaviors in 772 diabetic patients with high-risk feet at eight Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Principal components analysis identified six subscales with satisfactory internal consistency: basic foot-care education, extended foot-care education, basic professional foot care, extended professional foot care, basic foot self-care, and extended foot self-care (alpha = 0.77-0.91). Despite high illness burden, adherence to foot self-care recommendations was less than optimal; only 32.2% of participants reported looking at the bottom of their feet daily. Independent predictors of greater adherence to basic foot self-care practices included African-American or Hispanic background, perceived neuropathy, foot ulcers in the last year, prior amputation (beta = 0.08- 0.12, p < 0.04-0.001), and provision of greater basic and extended education (beta = 0.16, p < 0.004, and beta = 0.15, p < 0.007). The survey subscales can now be used for evaluating foot care and education needs for persons with high-risk feet.