Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of VA Whole Health Coaching Among Veterans With Complex Health Care Needs—A Pilot Study

VA Whole Health coaching may enhance veteran health and well-being through behavioral and lifestyle changes. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility (e.g., adherence) and acceptability (e.g., satisfaction) of administering VA Whole Health coaching among veterans with complex health concerns. Veterans underwent comprehensive evaluations from an interdisciplinary team and participated in a non-randomized, single-arm pilot study that consisted of 17 coaching sessions supporting behavioral change and clinical recommendations. Secondary outcomes included changes in health-related quality of life, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and mindfulness. Of the 103 veterans approached, 50 enrolled in the study (48.5%), with two withdrawing after consenting (final n = 48). Post-intervention retention was 72.9% and adherence was 88.0%. Most outcomes had minimal missing data, and there were no serious study-related adverse events. Participant engagement and satisfaction with the intervention were high. Significant improvements were observed in physical health-related quality of life, sleep quality, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and mindfulness (corrected P -values ≤0.0045). The results demonstrated strong feasibility and acceptability of VA Whole Health coaching among veterans with complex health concerns, evidenced by high adherence and engagement levels. Preliminary results suggested improvements in physical and emotional well-being; however, larger clinical trials would benefit from minor revisions to the methods. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06711172.