VA Whole Health Approach Shows Promise in Reducing Chronic Pain for Veterans
A recent large-scale randomized trial has evaluated the VA's Whole Health approach to managing chronic pain among veterans, revealing that it modestly outperforms cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and usual care. The study, known as the wHOPE trial, involved 764 veterans across six VA health systems and was conducted between September 2020 and January 2024. The trial's results, published in JAMA, indicate that the Whole Health model, which includes personalized health plans and integrative therapies like yoga and acupuncture, led to a statistically significant reduction in pain interference in veterans' daily lives. This approach contrasts with conventional pain management, which often relies on medication. The Whole Health model emphasizes a patient-centered approach, focusing on health enhancement rather than merely treating disease. 
