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Up to 66% of Veterans experience challenging chronic pain conditions within a three-month time frame (Donahue et al., 2020). Although chronic pain has historically been treated with prescription medications, research suggests that an acceptance of one’s pain combined with values-based committed action can lead to increased quality of life, and eventually to a decrease in perceived pain (Baranoff et al., 2016; McCracken & Velleman, 2010). In recent years, the Veterans Health Administration has adopted a new, integrated approach to health care, referred to as the Whole Health System of Care. Whole Health emphasizes patient autonomy, assists with values exploration, promotes committed action to those values, and offers a variety of healthy behavior groups. This retrospective chart review aimed to better understand the impact of a Whole Health wellness program for Veterans with chronic pain as it pertained to their health-related quality of life and perceived pain levels. 63 Veterans completed self-report surveys at a Whole Health orientation group and at six-month follow-up for health-related quality of life, life engagement, and perceived pain levels. Results showed that number of wellness classes attended was not significantly associated with quality of life measures. Additionally, life engagement at the time of orientation did not moderate the relationship between class attendance and quality of life measures. Participating Veterans did, however, experience a significant increase in mental health quality of life. Finally, very few Veterans with chronic pain attended pain-specific groups within Whole Health. These results suggest that additional research is needed to assess the Whole Health System of Care and examine Veteran and institutional factors that may be associated with outcomes. |
