# Evidence-Based Multidimensional Pain Self-Management Planning: Personalized by and for Veterans via Web-Based Application

> **NIH VA I21** · BALTIMORE VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Chronic low back pain is highly prevalent in Veterans, and is often resistant to pharmacological
management so that non-pharmacological management is required. For many patients, the
most effective approach is comprehensive pain management incorporating multiple therapies
addressing: physical, mental, mind-body, sleep, safety, and environmental needs. The ultimate
outcome is the development of a coordinated multidimensional evidence-based plan for pain
self-management (C-MEPPS) tailored to each patient. This approach, while effective, is highly
resource intensive and severely constrained by cost and health system factors.
Our goal is a mobile web-based application (App) that provides immediate feedback to Veterans
seeking to develop their own pain self-management plan. This will represent a novel, scalable,
Veteran-driven solution to chronic low back pain aligned with VA strategic objectives ‘online
navigator tools…empowers Veterans to make decisions.’ We are focused on transferring
knowledge about evidence-base practices into the primary care context to help Veterans and
their healthcare providers manage pain effectively- before it gets worse. We have already
developed the App prototype utilizing User-Centered Design principles to optimize the user
experience. Our first aim is to develop and pilot test a web-based App for Veterans, including
older Veterans and women Veterans, designed to empower each in pain self-management
planning: providing access and data-driven guidance about evidence-based multidimensional
behavior change. Our second aim is to gather pilot data targeting patient-centered and
rehabilitative outcomes such as: increased activity, more sleep time, decreased pain
interference and better quality of life; through use of the App and engagement in pain self-
management planning.
This project brings together the expertise of skilled exercise physiologists, experienced pain and
sleep clinical psychologists, pain specialists, clinical educators, geriatricians, women’s health
providers, and technology design experts to create a powerful new pipeline for knowledge
transfer to patients and providers. Grounded in whole health and integrative approaches,
nursing principles, pharmacy practices, physical therapy, and nutrition are also included in the
App. We are working as an interprofessional pain-focused team to put the best-available
information about non-pharmacological treatments for pain into the hands of Veterans and their
primary care providers. Our vision is to improve the lives of Veterans with chronic low back pain,
improving access to knowledge and resources and giving Veterans the power to plan their own
path to better, more fulfilling living despite chronic low back pain.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10053684
- **Project number:** 5I21RX003169-02
- **Recipient organization:** BALTIMORE VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** BETH B HOGANS
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10053684

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10053684, Evidence-Based Multidimensional Pain Self-Management Planning: Personalized by and for Veterans via Web-Based Application (5I21RX003169-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10053684. Licensed CC0.

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