Supporting Research in Pain Management for Veterans and Military Service Members
Supporting Research in Pain Management for Veterans and Military Service Members
How—and why—the VA changed how it treats veterans’ chronic pain
by Elizabeth DePompei (First Appearing in DAV Magazine)
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The Pain Management Collaboratory (PMC)

Closing the Gap between Science and Clinical Practice for Pain Management

The Pain Management Collaboratory is comprised of 16 large-scale, multisite, pragmatic clinical trials that are studying nonpharmacological approaches for the management of pain and common co-occurring conditions in Military and Veterans healthcare systems and are supported by a central Coordinating Center (PMC3).

The lead funding organizations of the PMC and PMC3 include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (led by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH),  plus 7 additional offices) the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Learn More About The Collaboratory

What We've Learned from PMC Trials

how to improve access to care

Telehealth delivery, new care pathways, and self-referral made pain care more convenient and Veterans received care more quickly.

how to improve health outcomes

Individual trials improved health outcomes, including pain and function and identified new care pathways.

how to reach more veterans

Veterans across demographic backgrounds and geographic areas enrolled, showing broad interest in non-drug pain treatment.

6,000+ Veterans Received Effective Non-Drug Pain Care in PMC Research Trials

  • Mindfulness
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Chiropractic Care
  • Care Management Pathways
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Health and Wellness Coaching
PMC Researchers Put Evidence-Based Pain Care into the Hands of Veterans

Researching Chronic Pain

Find information on PMC's pragmatic trials, learn from researchers and work groups, and access research tools and measures.
Research resources here

Managing Chronic Pain

Approaches for managing the experience of chronic pain for people with chronic pain, their families and physicians.
Support & Information here

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there treatments for chronic pain?
Why study chronic pain management?
What considerations do clinicians need to make for veterans?
Get answers here

Support for People Experiencing Chronic Pain

Resources for People with Pain

Find information on talking with providers about your experience of pain and guidance on developing a plan for chronic pain relief. You'll also find helpful information sheets and links...

Learn More >

Patient Resource Group

Patient Resource Group Overview The Patient Resource Group (PRG) was developed to support and advise patients, investigators, and study leadership regarding the development, implementation, and execution of strategies, engagement,...

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Why Study Alternative Approaches to
Chronic Pain Management?

Robert Kerns, PhD,  one of the three directors of the Pain Management Collaboratory Coordinating Center, discusses the importance of studying nonpharmacological alternatives to managing chronic pain in veterans, active military, and the benefits derived by a multi-modal approach to pain management.

News & Updates

Get the latest news

Pragmatic Trials

Learn about the studies

PMC Work Groups

Providing Guidance & Collaboration