The VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center is recruiting 126 Veterans nationwide by October 2026 for a telehealth physical therapy program.
This program provides high-intensity rehabilitation, coaching and social support to Veterans. It provides physical rehabilitation through telehealth, which is effective in improving and sustaining physical function for older Veterans.
This program will compare physical functioning results of the telerehabilitation group to the education control group.
To be eligible to participate in the study, Veterans must be at least 60 years old and have some need for physical therapy. Final eligibility for participation will be made by the program staff at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System and the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Program designed to improve strength and mobility
Called the Multicomponent Telerehabilitation Program, this structured program provides physical therapy for Veterans experiencing physical difficulties in their day-to-day life. The program is designed to improve strength, mobility and social engagement with exercise using technology to help Veterans achieve their health and wellness goals.
All study sessions occur by video call three times a week for 12 weeks, followed by four additional coaching sessions in the next 12 weeks. Participants will also receive a Fitbit to help track their activity and health.
This is the third study of the program VA has conducted, with the prior two evaluations providing information to improve the program. Fourteen Veterans from the first pilot study and 46 Veterans from the second study completed the program. On average, Veterans showed significant improvements in aerobic and physical fitness immediately following the program. The third study aims to test longer-term outcomes, as well as provide coaching and technology support that is lacking from many established Veterans Health Administration rehabilitation programs.
For more information, visit the study website or contact Jessica Plew with the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center if interested in participating.
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This appears to be a program of interest to me. I am 78, have at least three issues connected with Agent Orange. I am having difficulty getting up and down and would like to become more mobile in performing tasks around the home and garden. This may be just what I am looking for and hope to see it come to fruition.
Hi. I am a vet, female, 70 and disabled {not service related}. Am interested.
Hi Faith! If you haven’t already, send us an email at PT.studies@cuanschutz.edu or give us a call at 303.724.9590.
Thank you.
Is there a virtual diabetes class(es)?
Thanks for the physical therapy classes.
My husband is 82 . Would that disqualify him?
Hi Mary! Your husband’s age would not disqualify him. This study is more focused on physical therapy rather than diabetes care. If you are interested and haven’t reached out to us yet, send us an email at PT.studies@cuanschutz.edu or give us a call at 303.724.9590.
Thank you.
Yes l am interested in this program
Hi Ken! If you haven’t already, send us an email at PT.studies@cuanschutz.edu or give us a call at 303.724.9590.
Thank you.
I am a 61 year “young” retired US Army Warrior. I have over 36 months of combat time and although I am disabled I keep myself in “deployment” shape. I am very interested in your program.
Hi Vincent, I appreciate your young mindset! If you haven’t already, send us an email at PT.studies@cuanschutz.edu or give us a call at 303.724.9590.
Thank you.
Excellent program for us older vets. I am a 100% disabled veteran, 91 y.o. Still independent, political activist lifetime member of
Veterans for Peace.org.
I can only wish for your program here at my VAMC, Battle Creek, MI.
I have asked for a Gerantologist here, but no such luck.
We have a terrible shortage of medical staff, MD and RN at this VAMC.
Hi Martin. If you are open to participating through telehealth (VA Video Connect or VVC), you could participate from MI. We have some steps we run through to make sure the study would be a good fit for you. So, if you are still interested and haven’t contacted us yet, send us an email at PT.studies@cuanschutz.edu or give us a call at 303.724.9590.
Thank you.
Haven’t been able to file taxes for three years because DFAS won’t send me paperwork; can’t get on MYPay. DFAS hangs up, saying can’t prove I’m me. Extreme problems at Hines VA hospital. Dishonest doctor falsified my medical record. Have rights and always denied.
I’m 77 and would consider participating in this research project, i go to MOVE, i go to the YMCA once or twice a week
Im 65, years old with prostate cancer, and high blood pressure, and diabetes. I work out 3or 4 times a week. Im very interested in this study and research.
The links don’t work on my iphone
I just attempted to send a message to Jessica Plew with my phone number etc. I can’t tell if it was sent or not.
According to Google my time Zone is GMT 6, Mountain Daylight Time.
Hello Veterans, I have GERD so bad that I spit up stomach acid. Want to share that I went to the Dr and he wanted to give me more pills. Pills are what cause this GERD. I have been drinking Fennel Seed Tea Daily and it is amazing the results. Give it a try. I am in Thailand so I cannot join. I do not get out much and have lots of time and happy to share what I do to deal with getting old and the extensive list of disorders I have and how I deal with them..If anyone has a question feel free to email me.
Thank you. My hiatal hernia is so severe laparoscopic surgery couldn’t repair it. I want to discontinue the PPIs but can’t because without them l have chronic esophagitis. Where can l buy Fennel Seed; a health food store or is it something you discovered over there? I am a dusty old ‘Nam vet.
hello. I just started Yoga and Tai chi. I am getting stronger. I would like to volunteer. thank you. Joe
Hummm sounds interesting.
The teleconference with weight management Move program puts to much stress on the Veteran. Spending an hour on this conference and going over my medical issues and prescription drugs. and answering a long list of questions was depressing and I felt like I was being interrogated. This process should be evaluated and changes need to be made. No wonder why there are so many Veteran suicides. Veterans are asking for help and bombarded with questions. Look at cause and effect and find a better method to assist Veterans.
I am interested in participating in this study !!! I am 67. I feel that this is a “Great Program” for “Senior Citizens” as myself.
Tele health is a scam to leach funds from the va don’t see where a telephone can take blood blood pressure or other tests that a in person visit can
My husband has what it’s called in our house a Robo nurse. It’s a set up where you can take the blood pressure the weight send your blood sugar and later on you can talk to a nurse over the VA pad. The iPad that they send and we do this monthly. It’s a great way to get your medication and your problems addressed and we do this every single day we call it taking his vitals. The VA is really working hard to take care of it. Veterans and I think people should appreciate them more. They give you all the time you need. You don’t get just 20 to 30 minutes of a person’s time when you go in for an exam.
There are so many veterans whom depend on TeleHealth for their wellbeing and its a truly amazing part of the VA program. Veterans are provided with scales, blood pressure cuffs, and other necessary items to keep a closer eye on their daily living. Having hands on experience with these services, its life changing for Veterans and their support systems.
My husband had the first telehealth visit with Dr. Melcher today at the VA clinic in Naples, Fl and it was very successful. My husband was able to speak and see the Dr. and ask questions. The exam was very specific and all questions were answered in reference to his blood test results and medications. We hope to keep Dr. Melcher and thank the staff that my husband feels so comfortable going to the VA and not regular office visit.
This is an interesting thing (forum?) I don’t see a V.A. doctor but maybe once a year. I’ve had blood pressure cuffs for years but seldom use them.
In the past a doctor recommended I get an oxygen meter. Put it on your finger and in about 5 seconds you know what your pulse and oxygen levels are.
Knowing what your pulse is, is good to know at times. But to me if I’m short of oxygen, I don’t need a machine to say ” OMG! You can’t breathe!” I am generally the first to know. And that’s without mechanical devices.
I have several physical impairments, because of when they occured I am leaning toward the Agent Orange theory. I have a bad heart that I keep working by walking, generally 2-3 miles a day.
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone but I am considering walk/ running. Walk awhile, run awhile. I did that 50 years ago to avoid mosquitos, now it’s to flush out my arteries. Etc etc. Sorry to hear some of you fellows are in rough shape.