The Implementation of Psychologically Informed Physical Therapy to Prevent Chronification in Service Members with Musculoskeletal Disorders

This study responds to the FY 19 CPMRP Congressional appropriation focus area of implementation science for evidence-based, efficacious interventions to manage chronic pain as well as comparative effectiveness incorporating a biopsychosocial model of assessment that includes pain interference in emotional and physical functioning. CPMRP defines chronic pain as pain that occurs on at least half the days for six months or more. This study is a hybrid type 3 design, which tests an implementation/strategy while observing/gathering information on the clinical intervention and related outcomes. In 2019, The Navy Surgeon General prioritized the advancement of capable medical personnel, and healthy, deployment-ready Sailors and Marines as a focus area. We propose to implement and assess an evidence-based psychologically informed training program for Navy physical therapy (PT) staff aimed at improving physical health and preventing attrition in active duty service members (ADSM) with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).