Here is a link to the Information Sheet, which will provide more information about the study. If you would like to download a copy for yourself, please click the link below.

Veterans are more highly impacted by pain than non-Veterans. The RAMP team has worked with Veterans to create a new, online mind-body program for pain. Our goals are: 

1. Give Veterans additional tools and support to better manage and cope with their pain and improve their overall quality of life, and
2. See if the new program works compared to usual care, and find out what Veterans think of it.

• The RAMP program explores the important connection between our bodies and minds. It focuses on using this connection to help Veterans better manage and cope with their pain and improve their overall quality of life.
• The RAMP program is an online program consisting of 9 weekly group sessions (90 minutes each). Each session includes:
  • Viewing pre-recorded expert-led education videos on mind-body strategies and physical exercises (described below).
  • Practicing mind-body strategies like mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, breathing and mini-practices that can be done anytime, anywhere.
  • Practicing gentle physical exercise to increase mobility, make daily activities more comfortable, and manage pain symptoms. Examples include posture, stretching, and strength exercises with different options to meet people’s unique needs.
  • Discussions with fellow Veterans with pain to share experiences, stay on track with personalized goals, problem-solve about how to overcome barriers, and generally support one another.
  • You will be encouraged to practice what you learned between sessions.

First, you will answer a short survey (5-10 minutes) to see if you meet the study requirements. Then, if you meet the requirements, you'll fill out a survey to assess your health and pain. This survey will take about 40 minutes, and you will receive $40 for completing it. 

• The study staff will also review your medical record to see if you qualify to be in the study.

If you are eligible, you will be placed, randomly (like a flip of a coin), into 1 of 2 groups:

• Usual Care Group: 6 months of doing what you usually do for your pain. You can continue with any treatment you are currently receiving. After the study, you will be given access to the study website to do the program on your own if you choose.
• RAMP Mind-Body Group: consists of 9 weekly online group sessions (each 1 1/2 hours long) with pre-recorded videos by experts, who will provide education on specific mind-body skills, and then practice those skills with you.  During the sessions there will also be discussions with other Veterans, led by a facilitator. You will be encouraged to practice what you learned between sessions. It's important to be able to participate from a quiet, private space where you can give your full attention during sessions so you can fully benefit from the program.  A requirement is to have your video on for the whole session. This helps us make sure that everyone stays safe; it also helps the group work effectively together.  While you are in the RAMP Mind-Body Group you can continue doing what you usually do for your pain, including continuing with any treatment you are currently receiving.

All participants will receive two follow-up surveys at 3 and 6 months after the study starts. These surveys will ask you questions about your health and pain and what you thought about the group you were in. The surveys take 40 minutes to complete, and you will receive $40 for completing them.

Our RAMP mind-body program is designed for Veterans who feel they're at a beginner to mid-level with mind-body strategies (for example: mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, breathing and mini-practices) coupled with working with physical exercises to help pain.  It is also designed for Veterans who are having trouble coping with their pain.

We have also had Veterans with previous experiences using mind-body practices or different rehabilitation or PT exercises in our past programs; they have told us they have found the program useful for reminding them of things they had forgotten about, giving them some new things to try, and also providing an opportunity to connect with other Veterans about how to tackle some of the barriers to managing pain.

It's important that you're OK being on video during the virtual group sessions as this helps with safety and group engagement.

The RAMP team is a group of researchers, healthcare providers, and Veterans, committed to improving pain care for all Veterans.

This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our award number is 4UH3NR020929-02.

We’re trying to reach rural patients in the VA system with chronic pain. Following HIPAA regulations, we identified Veterans who meet certain criteria through a secure system and are reaching out individually to see if this might be a good fit for you. 

The program is free to participate in.  If you’re eligible to be in the study, we’ll ask you to do 3 surveys – one at the beginning, one about 3 months later, and a third about 6 months later. You’ll receive $40 for completing each survey.

You can't invite others. Participants are randomly selected from a pre-screened group that fits our research criteria.

No. Participation in the RAMP study will not affect your service connection or disability compensation.  Any information that you share with study staff will remain confidential and only be shared with people on the RAMP study research team.  Information collected will not be included in your medical records and will not affect any future claims.

Yes. The study is a multi-year, multi-phase project and the results of the completed study will be published at the end of the project.  It will take several years before the results are ready to share. Please know, we never share identifiable data.

Emails from the RAMP project will come from [email protected] or [email protected]. We will never ask you to share private information via email. Feel free to call us at 877-467-5079. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, or you want to make sure this is a valid VA study, you may contact the Minneapolis VAHCS IRB (VA Healthcare System Institutional Review Board). This is the Board that is responsible for overseeing the safety and ethical treatment of participants in this study. You may call 612-629-7387, if you have questions, complaints or concerns about the study or if you would like to obtain information or offer input.

No. The RAMP program is 100% online. If you're in the mind-body group, you will be meeting with your facilitator and group using Webex, a virtual platform. Everyone completes the surveys online.

• Internet connection
• Computer/tablet/smart phone with video and microphone capabilities

Mind-body strategies are skills that use the connection between our mind and body to reduce stress and manage pain.  Some examples of mind-body strategies used in the RAMP program are relaxed breathing, meditation, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation. The RAMP program presents a number of strategies with the expectation that not every Veteran will like every strategy, but that each person can try things out and find some new approaches that work for them in terms of improving life with pain.

Group facilitators within the RAMP study are trained research staff that have varied forms of clinical experience. Their role is to maintain the safety of all group members and lead group discussion.

Whole Health is VA’s approach to care that supports your health and wellbeing. Whole Health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. This means your health team will get to know you as a person, before working with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs, and goals. 

For more information, go to the VA's Whole Health website.

Find your local VA Whole Health contact.

View VA Whole Health videos about various health topics.