Introduction: Approximately 50% of persons with orthopedic injuries experience psychosocial distress (e.g., depression, anxiety), which can predict chronic pain and disability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrthopedic traumas are common, costly, and burdensome - particularly for patients who transition from acute to chronic pain. Psychosocial factors, such as pain catastrophizing and pain anxiety, increase risk for poor outcomes after injury. The Toolkit for Optimal Recovery (TOR) is a novel multi-component mind-body intervention informed by the fear-avoidance model to promote re-engagement in daily activities and prevent transition toward chronic pain and physical dysfunction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Chronic pain and problematic substance use are commonly co-occurring and highly detrimental issues that are especially prevalent in U.S. veteran populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The COVID-19 pandemic generated concerns about rising stress and alcohol use, especially in U.S. veterans who experience high rates of anxiety disorders (ADs), alcohol use disorder (AUD), and dual AD+AUD diagnoses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Patients admitted to the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (Neuro-ICU) with acute neurological illnesses (ANI; e.g., stroke, tumor, TBI) and their informal caregivers experience high rates of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation was a common experience as people were trying to keep themselves and others safe from infection. Veterans with problematic substance use are at particular risk of the consequences of social isolation. This study evaluated the nature of social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of loneliness and psychological flexibility on self-reported substance use and physical and mental health functioning among U.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Substance use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. Chronic pain is associated with risky substance use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAs the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the globe, many veterans with substance use issues have faced the closure of treatment facilities, mandates to shelter in place, and social distancing measures. To better understand their pandemic experiences, substance use changes, and functioning, a survey was nationally administered to a sample of United States veterans reporting substance use issues during the pandemic. The purpose of this cross-sectional online survey for veterans ( = 409) was to report on COVID-19 experiences, safety behaviors, and infection experiences while also investigating the relationship among addictive behaviors, mental and physical health, and COVID-19 impact.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common joint disorder in the United States and a leading cause of disability. Depression and obesity are highly comorbid with KOA and accelerate knee degeneration and disability through biopsychosocial mechanisms. Mind-body physical activity programs can engage biological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms to improve outcomes in KOA, but such programs are not currently available.
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