The end of the year is often a time to reflect and set your sights on how to make next year a better year. If you are over 60 and need physical therapy, and are seeking to improve your health and wellness, then our telerehabilitation study may be able to help – whether or not you made a New Year’s resolution.
Do you find yourself knowing what you want to achieve, but thinking, “I don’t know where to start?” Making a positive change for your health is a big commitment and it can be difficult to know where or how to begin. Perhaps you know where to start but wonder how you can stay on track. Turning a new change into a lifelong habit is hard and many people find success using different tools and supports.
Our team, working on a Medically Complex Telerehabilitation program with Eastern Colorado VA, has launched a research study to test a 12-week telehealth physical therapy program. Our approach combines progressive rehabilitation with coaching and social support to help Veterans reach their health and wellness goals.
If you participate, all services will be provided virtually via telehealth in the comfort of your own home. Your participation will help us learn more about which parts of the program work and for whom the program works. What we learn through your help will improve care for other Veterans.
What are fellow Veterans saying about the program?
“I’m happy, I’m smiling, I feel freer than I did before. I’m hiking now. And I love it.”
“This program has changed my life because exercise is a part of it, a major part of it.”
“Coaching helped the motivation and allowed me to not give myself an out all the time.”
To be eligible, you must be 60 years of age or older and have some need for physical therapy services. For example, you may have a hard time moving around your house or the community, or you may have general weakness or feel unsteady on your feet. Perhaps you’ve even experienced a fall or two.
What would we need from you?
- Willingness and availability to participate in therapy 2 to 3 times per week for 12 weeks
- Willingness to participate in all visits through VA Video Connect telehealth video visits
- Ability to commit to 24 weeks (about 6 months) to complete all data collection for the study
More Information
Click here to read a story about one Veteran who completed our program.
Click here to learn more about VA Research.
Read more about our research protocol here.
Interested?
Contact the study team to learn more at: Call Liz at 720-327-8598 or email us at: PT.studies@cuanschutz.edu
You may not be eligible if you have a medical condition that would make exercise unsafe. Final determination of eligibility will be made by research staff.
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Had a cyst removed from right wrist and experience severe pain almost daily. Saw a therapist & do exercises at home but it doesn’t helpuch. Am a combat Veteran, age 78.