# HSR&D Senior Research Career Scientist Award

> **NIH VA IK6** · DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

This proposed Senior Research Career Scientist award is to support the activities of Dr. Kelli Allen, an
established Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D)
investigator, allowing her to her expand her scientific, mentoring and service contributions. Dr. Allen’s
research focuses on improving care and outcomes for patients with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions,
particularly osteoarthritis. The majority of Dr. Allen’s research has been conducted in the VA healthcare
system. MSK conditions are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions among Veterans, who bear a
greater burden of these health problems compared with the general population. In addition, research by Dr.
Allen and others has shown that there are gaps in quality of care for MSK conditions, including underutilization
of first-line, evidence-based treatments such as physical therapy and behavioral interventions. To address
these important challenges, Dr. Allen’s research particularly focuses on conducting pragmatic and
effectiveness trials of behavioral and health services interventions for patients, particularly Veterans, with
chronic MSK conditions. The goal of these trials is to develop and test programs and delivery models that can
be implemented in the VA, as well as other healthcare systems, to improve care quality, efficiency and patient-
centered outcomes.
 Dr. Allen has led eight randomized controlled trials of interventions for MSK conditions, as well as a
number of pilot and observational studies in this research area. Among trials Dr. Allen has led, intervention
approaches have included telephone-based patient programs (self-management, physical activity, weight
management, cognitive behavioral therapy for pain), a primary care provider-based approach to improve
osteoarthritis management, group-based physical therapy, internet-based exercise programs, and a stepped
care approach to increasing physical activity and function in patients with osteoarthritis. One example of a
health system impact resulting from Dr. Allen’s research is the local VA implementation of a group-based
physical therapy program for osteoarthritis, which was found to be as effective as individual physical therapy
but requires fewer resources and can improve access. Dr. Allen has also been a co-investigator on many MSK
studies, including five active trials of diverse care models and intervention approaches for treating osteoarthritis
and chronic low back pain. As a co-investigator, Dr. Allen’s contributions focus on methodologies for
conducting large pragmatic trials.
 In addition to Dr. Allen’s research activities, she has contributed to many national and international
committees and leadership panels. Recent activities include service on VA HSR&D grant review panels, the
steering committee for HSR&D State of the Art Meeting on Non-Pharmacological Pain Management, and the
VA Pain Measures Work Group. She is also an Associate Editor for Osteoarthrit...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10197057
- **Project number:** 5IK6HX002838-02
- **Recipient organization:** DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelli D. Allen
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10197057

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10197057, HSR&D Senior Research Career Scientist Award (5IK6HX002838-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10197057. Licensed CC0.

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