Evidence-Based Research
A challenge in complementary and integrative health (CIH) is examining the effectiveness of approaches that have not been tested through formal research. VA researchers are conducting studies to determine which approaches are truly safe and effective. This information can help clinicians and patients make informed decisions about treatment options utilizing CIH and other Whole Health (WH) approaches.
The body of evidence on WH and CIH continues to grow and we have many new tools and reports to help you learn more. Check out the Library of Research Articles on CIH and Chiropractic Care. The library contains citations and abstracts on papers published since 2010 and is organized by type of CIH therapy and type of health outcome studied. We also have a research registry available. The Registry of Current Research on Veterans and CIH and Chiropractic Care is intended to facilitate research collaboration and enable clinicians, researchers and policy makers to be informed of the research being conducted on CIH therapies and chiropractic care among Veterans. It provides information on the Principal Investigator's (PI) name and institution, the study title, and years of funding for studies that were active as of January 1, 2016, and later. Finally, the Compendium on Use of Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies and Chiropractic Care at the VA summarizes Veterans’ use of 9 CIH therapies (acupuncture, battlefield acupuncture, biofeedback, clinical hypnosis, guided imagery, massage therapy, meditation, tai chi, and yoga) plus chiropractic care from fiscal year (FY) 2017 to FY 2019, and the demographic and health characteristics of those Veterans.
Another very important report located below is the Whole Health System of Care Evaluation – A Progress Report on Outcomes of the WHS Pilot at 18 Flagship Sites. This report contains a summary of progress towards implementation of the WH system, utilization of WH services among Veterans, and impact on Veterans and employees after 2 years.
Library of Research Articles on Veterans and Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies and Chiropractic Care
(January 2021 Edition)
EPCC: Whole Health System of Care Evaluation (February 18, 2020)
EPCC: Whole Health System of Care Evaluation Appendices (February 18, 2020)
Key Insights and Lessons Learned: Training VA Clinicians on Whole Health Approaches (June 1, 2021)
Whole Health Clinical Champions: Lessons Learned from Flagship Sites (June 1, 2021)
Evidence Map on Massage for Pain
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Does Offering Battlefield Acupuncture Lead to Subsequent Use of Traditional Acupuncture? Sept 2020.
A scale to measure nurses' and providers' patient centered care in primary care settings. Dec 2019.
Complementary and Integrated Health Approaches: What Do Veterans Use and Want. July 2019.
Mindfulness meditation for workplace wellness: An evidence map. Jun 2019.
Time to Listen More and Talk Less. Jan 2019.
Do patient perceptions of provider communication relate to experiences of physical pain? Feb 2018.
Challenges in Implementing Personalized Care Planning. Nov 2017.
An evidence map of the effect of Tai Chi on health outcomes. Systematic Reviews. Jul 2016.
