Transforming Veteran Rehabilitation: Digital Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain
Study Overview
Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a leading health issue among Veterans, yet access to timely care remains a challenge. This pilot study, conducted in partnership with Team Red, White & Blue, evaluated a fully remote, multimodal digital care program (DCP) designed to improve pain management and overall well-being.
Among 75 eligible Veterans, 61 enrolled in the program, which included personalized exercise, education, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Engagement was high, with an 82% completion rate and an average satisfaction score of 9.5/10. Clinical outcomes showed significant improvements:
- Pain levels decreased by 1.98 points on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale.
- Mental distress improved, with those reporting moderate depression reducing symptoms to mild levels.
- Daily activity impairment was significantly reduced.
Importantly, deployed and non-deployed Veterans responded similarly to treatment, indicating broad applicability. No adverse events were reported, reinforcing the safety of remote rehabilitation.
This study highlights the potential of digital physical therapy to improve access to evidence-based MSP care for Veterans, offering a scalable alternative to traditional in-person treatments.
