Preliminary results from a pilot neuromodulation and yoga intervention study for mTBI and chronic pain

Friday, November 11, 2022

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Presenter(s)

Amy A. Herrold, PhD, RYT

Research Health Scientist & Research Associate Professor
Edward Hines Jr., VA Hospital & Northwestern University
Hines, Illinois, United States

Slides
Kelly Krese, DPT, NCS, CYT

Physical Therapist
Edward Hines Jr., VA Hospital
Hines, Illinois, United States
Kyla Donnelly, CBIS, RYT-200, MPH, PhD

Senior Director of Programs & Research
The LoveYourBrain Foundation, United States

Slides
Andrea A. Billups, LSW

Health Science Specialist
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
Hines, Illinois, United States
Bella Etingen, PhD

Research Health Scientist
Edward Hines Jr., VA Hospital
Hines, Illinois, United States

Current treatments for mTBI and chronic pain are insufficient and multi-modal, non-pharmacological approaches including neuromodulation and yoga could be a great addition to clinical pain management. Our novel combined neuromodulation and yoga intervention for mTBI and chronic pain will be described. We will provide preliminary results from our open-label, pilot trial where we combined intermittent theta burst stimulation and the LoveYourBrain Yoga program (iTBS+yoga). We will provide preliminary data about the intervention’s feasibility and acceptability, as well as, clinical outcome data on quality of life, function and pain that will guide future studies. Neuromodulation is now offered at VA hospitals nation-wide, and yoga is among the complementary and integrative health programs being rolled out as a part of VAs Whole Health implementation efforts. 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.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will understand the clinical picture and gaps in the treatment needs for mild TBI and chronic pain
Participants will understand the theory behind combining iTBS and the LoveYourBrain Yoga program for mild TBI and chronic pain
Participants will gain knowledge about the feasibility and acceptability of combined iTBS and LoveYourBrain Yoga for mild TBI and chronic pain.
Participants will gain knowledge about preliminary quantitative results of combined iTBS and LoveYourBrain Yoga on quality of life and pain outcomes.