Neuromodulation and Yoga for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Chronic Pain

The objectives of this VA SPiRE application are to develop a combined neuromodulation and yoga (iTBS+yoga) intervention for Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and chronic pain, assess the intervention's feasibility and acceptability, and to gather preliminary clinical outcome data on quality of life, function and pain that will guide future studies. This SPiRE project will directly benefit Veterans and VA Services by developing a new, non-pharmacological neurorehabilitation treatment for Veterans with mTBI and chronic pain in need of non-opioid treatment options. Neuromodulation is now offered at 30 VA hospitals and yoga is among the complementary and integrative health programs being rolled out as a part of VAs Whole Health implementation efforts. Thus, should iTBS+yoga ultimately prove to be efficacious, VA facilities will be well-poised to offer this treatment. A novel, activity-based, non-pharmacological treatment for Veterans with mTBI and chronic pain is of great need given the high prevalence of chronic pain.