2023
Research objectives and general considerations for pragmatic clinical trials of pain treatments: IMMPACT statement
Hohenschurz-Schmidt D, Cherkin D, Rice A, Dworkin R, Turk D, McDermott M, Bair M, DeBar L, Edwards R, Farrar J, Kerns R, Markman J, Rowbotham M, Sherman K, Wasan A, Cowan P, Desjardins P, Ferguson M, Freeman R, Gewandter J, Gilron I, Grol-Prokopczyk H, Hertz S, Iyengar S, Kamp C, Karp B, Kleykamp B, Loeser J, Mackey S, Malamut R, McNicol E, Patel K, Sandbrink F, Schmader K, Simon L, Steiner D, Veasley C, Vollert J. Research objectives and general considerations for pragmatic clinical trials of pain treatments: IMMPACT statement. Pain 2023, 164: 1457-1472. PMID: 36943273, PMCID: PMC10281023, DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002888.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPragmatic trialPain treatmentClinical careSystematic reviewAddiction Clinical Trial TranslationsNetworks (ACTTION) public-private partnershipTraditional efficacy trialsRoutine clinical careDaily clinical carePragmatic clinical trialsEvidence-based treatmentsRelated health policiesInternal validityPain assessmentClinical managementClinical trialsEfficacy trialsConsensus meetingTrial designConsensus discussionTrial objectivesSuch trialsHealth policyTrialsExpert presentations
2022
Intervention Fidelity in Pain Pragmatic Trials for Nonpharmacologic Pain Management: Nuanced Considerations for Determining PRECIS-2 Flexibility in Delivery and Adherence
Kerns R, Davis A, Fritz J, Keefe F, Peduzzi P, Rhon D, Taylor S, Vining R, Yu Q, Zeliadt S, George S. Intervention Fidelity in Pain Pragmatic Trials for Nonpharmacologic Pain Management: Nuanced Considerations for Determining PRECIS-2 Flexibility in Delivery and Adherence. Journal Of Pain 2022, 24: 568-574. PMID: 36574858, PMCID: PMC10079571, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.12.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPragmatic clinical trialsDelivery of interventionsClinical trialsNonpharmacologic pain managementPain management strategiesRoutine clinical settingPain managementNonpharmacological treatmentsRoutine careNonpharmacological interventionsPragmatic trialIntervention core componentsProvider trainingReal-world settingClinical settingIntervention fidelityTreatment flexibilityTrialsInterventionTreatment effectsDegree of pragmatismImplementation barriersAdherenceIntervention monitoringDeliverySocial and Behavioral Sciences: Response to the Opioid and Pain Crises in the United States
Kerns RD. Social and Behavioral Sciences: Response to the Opioid and Pain Crises in the United States. American Journal Of Public Health 2022, 112: s6-s8. PMID: 35143280, PMCID: PMC8842200, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2022.306773.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPartnering with patients in clinical trials of pain treatments: a narrative review
Holzer KJ, Veasley C, Kerns RD, Edwards RR, Gewandter JS, Langford DJ, Yaeger LH, McNicol E, Ferguson M, Turk DC, Dworkin RH, Haroutounian S. Partnering with patients in clinical trials of pain treatments: a narrative review. Pain 2022, 163: 1862-1873. PMID: 35297799, DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002600.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPain treatmentClinical trialsPatient engagementNarrative reviewClinical researchPatient-centered clinical researchPain research studiesPain-related studiesMeaningful patient engagementClinical studiesPatient recruitmentPatient partnersPatientsTrialsTreatmentCurrent evaluationReviewSpecific guidance
2021
Measuring pain care quality in the Veterans Health Administration primary care setting
Luther SL, Finch DK, Bouayad L, McCart J, Han L, Dobscha SK, Skanderson M, Fodeh SJ, Hahm B, Lee A, Goulet JL, Brandt CA, Kerns RD. Measuring pain care quality in the Veterans Health Administration primary care setting. Pain 2021, 163: e715-e724. PMID: 34724683, PMCID: PMC8920945, DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002477.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPain care qualityPattern of documentationSevere pain intensityFrequency of documentationPresence of painSite of painPrimary care providersPrimary care settingCare quality indicatorsQuality improvement initiativesTotal PCQ scoresPatient characteristicsPain intensityPain carePain impactPCQ scoresCare settingsCare providersMusculoskeletal disordersFurther evaluationPainCare qualityHealthcare facilitiesImprovement initiativesUnique visits
2020
NIH-DOD-VA Pain Management Collaboratory: Pragmatic Clinical Trials of Nonpharmacological Approaches for Management of Pain and Co-occurring Conditions in Veteran and Military Health Systems: Introduction
Kerns RD, Brandt CA. NIH-DOD-VA Pain Management Collaboratory: Pragmatic Clinical Trials of Nonpharmacological Approaches for Management of Pain and Co-occurring Conditions in Veteran and Military Health Systems: Introduction. Pain Medicine 2020, 21: s1-s4. PMID: 33313722, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa358.Peer-Reviewed Original Research“Asking Is Never Bad, I Would Venture on That”: Patients’ Perspectives on Routine Pain Screening in VA Primary Care
Giannitrapani KF, Haverfield MC, Lo NK, McCaa MD, Timko C, Dobscha SK, Kerns RD, Lorenz KA. “Asking Is Never Bad, I Would Venture on That”: Patients’ Perspectives on Routine Pain Screening in VA Primary Care. Pain Medicine 2020, 21: 2163-2171. PMID: 32142132, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPain screeningPrimary carePatient's perspectiveVA health care systemPain management strategiesVA primary careVeterans Health AdministrationMental health concernsHealth care systemRoutine carePatient recallPatients' perceptionsPatient recommendationsPainRoutine painHealth AdministrationHealth concernCare systemMental distressCarePatientsPsychological painScreeningTheme 1Theme 2
2019
Pain-related illness intrusiveness is associated with lower activity engagement among persons with multiple sclerosis
Gromisch ES, Kerns RD, Beauvais J. Pain-related illness intrusiveness is associated with lower activity engagement among persons with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis And Related Disorders 2019, 38: 101882. PMID: 31812040, DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.101882.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWest Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain InventoryIllness Intrusiveness Ratings ScaleIllness intrusivenessMultiple sclerosisPain experienceActivity engagementNorth American Research CommitteeLeast mild painMultidimensional Pain InventoryLower activity engagementDepression symptom severityMild painPain InventoryChronic painExploratory mediation analysisPainSymptom severityDaily functioningRating ScalePositive coping strategiesSignificant predictorsSclerosisResearch CommitteeMediation analysisCovariates“I Battle Pain Every Single Day”: Pain-Related Illness Intrusiveness Among Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
Gromisch ES, Kerns RD, Beauvais J. “I Battle Pain Every Single Day”: Pain-Related Illness Intrusiveness Among Persons With Multiple Sclerosis. Rehabilitation Psychology 2019, 64: 269-278. PMID: 30896244, DOI: 10.1037/rep0000273.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIllness intrusivenessDepressive symptom severityMultiple sclerosisSymptom severityNorth American Research CommitteeLeast mild painMultiple Sclerosis RegistryCross-sectional studyMild painExperience painPainDisease severityIntrusive problemEmotional dysfunctionSignificant predictorsSeveritySclerosisStrongest predictorMultiple regression analysisRegression analysisPredictorsCommon correlatesResearch CommitteeParticipantsDysfunctionEngaging Mental Health Professionals in Addressing Pain
Edmond SN, Heapy AA, Kerns RD. Engaging Mental Health Professionals in Addressing Pain. JAMA Psychiatry 2019, 76: 565-566. PMID: 30942829, DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.0254.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDevelopment and Assessment of a Crosswalk Between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM to Identify Patients with Common Pain Conditions
Mayhew M, DeBar LL, Deyo RA, Kerns RD, Goulet JL, Brandt CA, Von Korff M. Development and Assessment of a Crosswalk Between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM to Identify Patients with Common Pain Conditions. Journal Of Pain 2019, 20: 1429-1445. PMID: 31129316, PMCID: PMC6874733, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.05.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCommon pain conditionsPain conditionsPrevalence estimatesDiagnostic clustersICD-10-CM diagnosis codesNational Pain StrategyElectronic health record dataICD-9-CM definitionsHealth record dataUS health care systemICD-10-CM transitionHealth services researchHealth care systemPain strategiesDiagnosis codesSocio-demographic characteristicsCondition prevalenceDiagnostic codingElectronic databasesHealth servicesSocio-demographic featuresEpidemiologic researchHealth conditionsCare systemRecord dataCore Competencies for the Emerging Specialty of Pain Psychology
Wandner LD, Prasad R, Ramezani A, Malcore SA, Kerns RD. Core Competencies for the Emerging Specialty of Pain Psychology. American Psychologist 2019, 74: 432-444. PMID: 30070541, DOI: 10.1037/amp0000330.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNational Pain StrategyPain managementInstitute of MedicinePain psychologistPain strategiesChronic painPain carePain psychologyPainField of psychologyIOM reportCore competenciesSpecialty areasPsychologistsHuman ServicesPivotal rolePsychologyMultiple professionsEmerging SpecialtySpecialtiesCurrent articleManagementCliniciansCareAnalgesic prescribing trends in a national sample of older veterans with osteoarthritis
Trentalange M, Runels T, Bean A, Kerns RD, Bair MJ, Brody AA, Brandt CA, Hwang U. Analgesic prescribing trends in a national sample of older veterans with osteoarthritis. Pain 2019, Publish Ahead of Print: &na;. PMID: 30913167, PMCID: PMC9486693, DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001509.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPain intensity ratingsAnalgesic prescriptionPrescribing trendsOlder veteransIntensity ratingsNonopioid analgesic prescribingPatterns of opioidPre-post observational studyReported pain intensityInterrupted time seriesOlder U.S. veteransAcetaminophen prescriptionsAnalgesic classTotal prescribingAnalgesic prescribingOpioid prescribingPain intensityDrug prescribingObservational studyPrescribingU.S. veteransPrescribing programmeOsteoarthritisStudy periodBinomial regression models
2018
Project STEP: Implementing the Veterans Health Administration’s Stepped Care Model of Pain Management
Edmond SN, Moore BA, Dorflinger LM, Goulet JL, Becker WC, Heapy AA, Sellinger JJ, Lee AW, Levin FL, Ruser CB, Kerns RD. Project STEP: Implementing the Veterans Health Administration’s Stepped Care Model of Pain Management. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s30-s37. PMID: 30203015, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny094.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVA Connecticut Healthcare SystemPrimary care providersVeterans Health AdministrationPain careStepped care modelCare providersPain managementCare modelHealth care utilization dataMultimodal pain careNonopioid analgesic prescribingLong-term opioidsElectronic health record dataPain intensity ratingsHealth record dataClinical health psychologyNonpharmacological servicesAnalgesic prescribingOpioid prescribingPharmacological managementNonpharmacological approachesNonpharmacological treatmentsReferral practicesPhysical therapyCare practicesUnderstanding Pain and Pain Treatment for Veterans: Responding to the Federal Pain Research Strategy
Bastian LA, Heapy A, Becker WC, Sandbrink F, Atkins D, Kerns RD. Understanding Pain and Pain Treatment for Veterans: Responding to the Federal Pain Research Strategy. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s1-s4. PMID: 30203012, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny143.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBrief Counseling for Veterans with Musculoskeletal Disorder, Risky Substance Use, and Service Connection Claims
Rosen MI, Becker WC, Black AC, Martino S, Edens EL, Kerns RD. Brief Counseling for Veterans with Musculoskeletal Disorder, Risky Substance Use, and Service Connection Claims. Pain Medicine 2018, 20: 528-542. PMID: 29800338, PMCID: PMC6387983, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny071.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRisky substance useMusculoskeletal disordersSubstance useMean pain severityCourse of illnessPain severity ratingsProportion of veteransScreening Brief InterventionCounseling armPain severityPain treatmentTAU conditionWeek 12Brief counselingEarly interventionOutcome assessmentBrief interventionStudy therapistsTelephone callsVeteransCounseling interventionCounselingInterventionSeverity ratingsDisordersVeteran Experiences Seeking Non-pharmacologic Approaches for Pain
Giannitrapani K, McCaa M, Haverfield M, Kerns RD, Timko C, Dobscha S, Lorenz K. Veteran Experiences Seeking Non-pharmacologic Approaches for Pain. Military Medicine 2018, 183: e628-e634. PMID: 29590422, DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-pharmacologic approachesUS military veteransPatient-centered pain careVA health care systemManagement of painNumeric rating scalePrimary care clinicsMilitary veteransPain intensity ratingsSpecific access barriersVA healthcare systemMulti-level barriersHealth care systemVeterans' experiencesFuture implementation effortsPain screeningCare clinicsPain carePrimary careCare coordinationPain studiesPainPain experienceVeterans' knowledgeFemale veterans
2016
The Effect of Substance Use Disorders on the Association Between Guideline-concordant Long-term Opioid Therapy and All-cause Mortality
Gaither JR, Goulet JL, Becker WC, Crystal S, Edelman EJ, Gordon K, Kerns RD, Rimland D, Skanderson M, Justice AC, Fiellin DA. The Effect of Substance Use Disorders on the Association Between Guideline-concordant Long-term Opioid Therapy and All-cause Mortality. Journal Of Addiction Medicine 2016, 10: 418-428. PMID: 27610580, PMCID: PMC5083184, DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000255.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersLong-term opioid therapyCause mortalityOpioid therapySUD treatmentUse disordersLower mortalityTime-updated Cox regressionUntreated substance use disordersVeterans Aging Cohort StudyOpioid-prescribing guidelinesGuideline-concordant careSUD statusAging Cohort StudyClinical practice guidelinesSUD treatment servicesOverall sampleHIV patientsCohort studyCox regressionPractice guidelinesPatientsTreatment servicesHigh mortalityMortalityCigarette Smoking Status and Receipt of an Opioid Prescription Among Veterans of Recent Wars
Bastian LA, Driscoll MA, Heapy AA, Becker WC, Goulet JL, Kerns RD, DeRycke EC, Perez E, Lynch SM, Mattocks K, Kroll-Desrosiers AR, Brandt CA, Skanderson M, Bathulapalli H, Haskell SG. Cigarette Smoking Status and Receipt of an Opioid Prescription Among Veterans of Recent Wars. Pain Medicine 2016, 18: 1089-1097. PMID: 27659441, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnw223.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCurrent pain intensityOpioid prescriptionsPain intensitySmoking statusOEF/OIF/OND veteransCurrent smokersFormer smokersOpioid useVeterans Health Administration primary care clinicsOperations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom/New DawnMild pain intensityMore opioid prescriptionsSevere pain intensityNumeric rating scalePrimary care clinicsCigarette smoking statusCross-sectional analysisOpioid receiptFormer smokingCohort studyCurrent smokingCare clinicsChronic painCigarette smokersSmoking cessationAssociation of Pain With Physical Function, Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue, and Sleep Quality Among Veteran and non-Veteran Postmenopausal Women
Patel KV, Cochrane BB, Turk DC, Bastian LA, Haskell SG, Woods NF, Zaslavsky O, Wallace RB, Kerns RD. Association of Pain With Physical Function, Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue, and Sleep Quality Among Veteran and non-Veteran Postmenopausal Women. The Gerontologist 2016, 56: s91-s101. PMID: 26768395, PMCID: PMC5881612, DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnv670.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExtreme pain interferencePain interferencePhysical functionPain severitySleep qualityDepressive symptomsHealth initiativesStudy participantsWorse physical functionAssociation of painWomen's Health InitiativeNon-veteran womenObservational study participantsLimited physical functioningVeteran statusHealth care servicesPostmenopausal womenLess painPhysical functioningOlder veteransHigh incidencePainCare servicesNumber of womenComorbid symptoms