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Research Topics


Complementary and Integrative Health

Complementary and integrative health (CIH) consists of treatment approaches that are not currently part of conventional medical practice, and may be considered complementary (i.e., used in place of or used along with standard medical care). Integrative medicine refers to care that blends both mainstream and alternative practices. CIH emphasizes patient empowerment, self-activation, preventive self-care, and wellness. Generally, most CIH approaches fall into two categories: natural products, such as herbs, vitamins and minerals, and probiotics; and mind-body practices, such as yoga, meditation, massage therapy, acupuncture, and mindfulness.  

VA health systems research into CIH includes access to these modalities in VA settings; efficacy of both products and mind-body practices; and evaluations of benefits and costs.

Each section below is populated by a search of the HSR website. Search results are generated based on the search term " Complementary and Integrative Health". Results are updated as new data are available.

VIEW: Citations | Publication Briefs | Studies | HSR Briefs, Reports, Newsletters | Cyberseminars | Videos | Podcasts | Other Resources



Citations

(5 of more than 40 COMPLEMENTARY AND INTEGRATIVE HEALTH focused publications)



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Publication Briefs

(5 of more than 3 COMPLEMENTARY AND INTEGRATIVE HEALTH focused publication briefs)


  • VA/HSR&D Research on Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies within VA
    Funded by HSR&D, this special issue of Medical Care highlights how research on complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies in the VA healthcare system has progressed along the QUERI (Quality Enhancement Research Initiative) Implementation Roadmap – from pre-implementation to implementation to sustainment. CIH approaches are becoming more available throughout VA, due to: 1) increased imple...
    Date: September 1, 2020
  • Many VA Patients Use and are Interested in Learning More about Complementary and Integrated Health Options
    In part to guide the expansion of evidence-based complementary and integrative health (CIH), VA leaders sought current information on Veterans’ interest in and use of various CIH approaches, both inside and outside the VA healthcare system. Thus, investigators in this study analyzed survey results from a large sample of Veterans on their interest in, use of, and satisfactions with 26 CIH approache...
    Date: April 22, 2019
  • Women Veterans with Pain More Likely to Use Complementary and Integrative Therapies
    This study sought to examine complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapy use by gender among Veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and variations in gender differences by race/ethnicity and age. Findings showed that of Veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain, more women than men used CIH therapies (36% vs. 26%). Black women, regardless of age, were least likely to use CIH therapies...
    Date: September 1, 2018

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Studies

( 5 of more than 2 COMPLEMENTARY AND INTEGRATIVE HEALTH focused projects )

Project No.  Title  PI  Funding Start   
IIR 16-262 Association of Complementary and Integrative Health (CHI) Interventions with Opioid Use and Related Risks Among Veterans With Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) and PTSD Goulet, Joseph 2018-05-01
IIR 16-262 Association of Complementary and Integrative Health (CHI) Interventions with Opioid Use and Related Risks Among Veterans With Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) and PTSD Goulet, Joseph 2018-05-01
IIR 15-333 Trial Outcomes for Massage: Caregiver-Assisted vs. Therapist-Treated (TOMCATT) Bair, Matthew 2017-02-01

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Cyberseminars

The most recent " Complementary and Integrative Health" seminars are displayed.

Date Title Presenter(s)
10/24/2024 Survey of Reasons Veterans Don’t Use Complementary and Integrative Health Services Black, Anne  
7/18/2024 Can Implementing a Whole Health System Facilitate Uptake of CIH for Chronic Pain? It Depends! Bolton, Rendelle  
5/16/2024 Complementary and Integrative Health for Chronic Pain and PTSD: An Overview of Recent Systematic Reviews Zaccari, Belle  
4/18/2024 What is ‘Nutritional Functioning’? Redefining Food Insecurity and Identifying New Avenues of Integrative Care Whitham, Diana  
2/15/2024 Primary Care Brief Mindfulness Training for Veterans with Psychological Distress: Intervention Description and Trial Results Possemato, Kyle  

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Videos


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Podcasts


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Other Resources

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