The effect of electromagnetic shielding on phantom limb pain: A placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keren Fisher ◽  
Sarah Oliver ◽  
Imad Sedki ◽  
Rajiv Hanspal
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Field ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Crossover Trial ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Electromagnetic Shielding ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Double Blind

Background: Environmental electromagnetic fields influence biological systems. Evidence suggests these have a role in the experience of phantom limb pain in patients with amputations. Objectives: This article followed a previous study to investigate the effect of electromagnetic field shielding with a specially designed prosthetic liner. Study design: Randomised placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial. Methods: Twenty suitable participants with transtibial amputations, phantom pain at least 1 year with no other treatable cause or pathology were requested to record daily pain, well-being, activity and hours of prosthetic use on pre-printed diary sheets. These were issued for three 2-week periods (baseline, electromagnetic shielding (verum) and visually identical placebo liners – randomly allocated). Results: Thirty-three per cent of the recruited participants were unable to complete the trial. The resulting N was therefore smaller than was necessary for adequate power. The remaining data showed that maximum pain and well-being were improved from baseline under verum but not placebo. More participants improved on all variables with verum than placebo. Conclusion: Electromagnetic field shielding produced beneficial effects in those participants who could tolerate the liner. It is suggested that this might be due to protection of vulnerable nerve endings from nociceptive effects of environmental electromagnetic fields. Clinical relevance Electromagnetic field shielding with a suitable limb/prosthesis interface can be considered a useful technique to improve pain and well-being in patients with phantom limb pain.

An Experimental Study of Atypical Phantom Pain

1965 ◽  
Vol 111 (481) ◽  
pp. 1185-1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Pilowsky ◽  
A. Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Emotional Factors ◽  
Psychological Mechanism

A number of writers have drawn attention to the importance of emotional factors in phantom limb pain (Kolb, 1950, 1952; Simmel, 1956; Russell, 1959; Von Hagen, 1963). Kolb (1950, 1952) reported an association between the discussion of certain emotionally loaded topics and accesses of pain in the phantom. Stengel (1965), in his Maudsley Lecture, discussed the role played in these experiences by the psychological mechanism of identification with others. He briefly referred to the patient whom we have studied.

scholarly journals BCI training to move a virtual hand reduces phantom limb pain

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. e417-e426
Author(s):  
Takufumi Yanagisawa ◽  
Ryohei Fukuma ◽  
Ben Seymour ◽  
Masataka Tanaka ◽  
Koichi Hosomi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crossover Trial ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Virtual Hand ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hand Image

ObjectiveTo determine whether training with a brain–computer interface (BCI) to control an image of a phantom hand, which moves based on cortical currents estimated from magnetoencephalographic signals, reduces phantom limb pain.MethodsTwelve patients with chronic phantom limb pain of the upper limb due to amputation or brachial plexus root avulsion participated in a randomized single-blinded crossover trial. Patients were trained to move the virtual hand image controlled by the BCI with a real decoder, which was constructed to classify intact hand movements from motor cortical currents, by moving their phantom hands for 3 days (“real training”). Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after training, and at follow-up for an additional 16 days. As a control, patients engaged in the training with the same hand image controlled by randomly changing values (“random training”). The 2 trainings were randomly assigned to the patients. This trial is registered at UMIN-CTR (UMIN000013608).ResultsVAS at day 4 was significantly reduced from the baseline after real training (mean [SD], 45.3 [24.2]–30.9 [20.6], 1/100 mm; p = 0.009 < 0.025), but not after random training (p = 0.047 > 0.025). Compared to VAS at day 1, VAS at days 4 and 8 was significantly reduced by 32% and 36%, respectively, after real training and was significantly lower than VAS after random training (p < 0.01).ConclusionThree-day training to move the hand images controlled by BCI significantly reduced pain for 1 week.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class III evidence that BCI reduces phantom limb pain.

Phantom Limb Pain

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth D. Candido ◽  
Teresa M. Kusper ◽  
Alexei Lissounov ◽  
Nebojsa Nick Knezevic
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Neurologic Sequelae ◽  
The 19Th Century

Post-amputation pain (PAP) has challenged clinicians for centuries. The first written record of this perplexing condition came from the 16th-century French military surgeon Ambrose Paré. The term phantom limb pain (PLP) was coined by Silas Weir Mitchell, who provided a comprehensive description of the condition during the 19th century. Since that time, the understanding of PLP has greatly expanded; however, our knowledge of the exact mechanisms underlying it is still very deficient. Amputation of a body part can result in one sequela or more than one neurologic sequelae occurring concurrently: phantom sensation, phantom pain, and stump pain. The incidence and prevalence vary across the spectrum of these syndromes. A myriad of treatment modalities are employed in an attempt to terminate PLP, including pharmacotherapy, injections, alternative therapy, surgical interventions, and neuromodulation. Despite an extensive search for effective therapeutic options, PLP remains a highly challenging and debilitating condition.

Phantom Limb Pain Responds to Distant Skin Magnets: Support for the Functional Existence of Acupuncture Meridians

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timö Töysä
Keyword(s):  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Stopping Treatment

Phantom leg pain in 10 patients was treated with skin magnets to the ipsilateral superior ends, on the thorax, of the leg Yin-meridians (KI.27, LR.14 and SP.21). The majority of patients reported relief of phantom pain while skin magnets were in situ, but in general this benefit was lost soon after stopping treatment. In two cases the method appeared more effective than morphine, and in a few patients it seemed to have some prophylactic benefit.

scholarly journals Statistical analysis plan for an international, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial on the use of phantom motor execution as a treatment for phantom limb pain.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Lendaro
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Statistical Analysis Plan ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Motor Execution ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Background Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a chronic condition that can greatly diminish quality of life. Purposeful control over the phantom limb activates of the affected neural circuitry and leads to dissolution of the pathological relationship linking sensorimotor and pain processing (which gives rise to PLP). An international, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) on the use of phantom motor execution (PME) as a treatment for PLP is currently undertaken, where PME is compared to active placebo. Methods and design Sixty-seven subjects suffering from PLP in upper or lower limbs are randomly assigned in 2:1 ratio to PME or phantom motor imagery (PMI) interventions respectively. Subjects allocated to either treatment receive 15 interventions and are exposed to the same VR-AR environments using the same device. The only difference between interventions is whether phantom movements are performed (PME) or just imagined (PMI). Results The primary outcome of the study is to examine whether 15 sessions of PME can induce a greater PLP relief, compared to PMI. The secondary objectives are to examine whether 15 sessions of PME provide a greater improvement on different aspects related to PLP compared to PMI, such as pain duration, pain intensity as measured by other metrics and the patient’s own impression about the effect of treatment. Long-term retention of treatment benefits will be assessed as change in all the variables (both primary and secondary) between baseline and follow-up timepoints (at one-, three- and six-months post treatment). Conclusion This manuscript serves as the formal statistical analysis plan (version 1.0) for the international, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial on the use of phantom motor execution as a treatment for phantom limb pain. The statistical analysis plan was completed on 3 August 2021. Trial registration number NCT03112928. SAP version Version: 1.0 Date: 2021/08/03 Protocol Version This document has been written based on information contained in the study protocol published in [1], in July 2018. SAP Revisions Not applicable

Phantom limb pain

1975 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl D. Nielson ◽  
John E. Adams ◽  
Yoshio Hosobuchi
Keyword(s):  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Dorsal Column ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Successful Series ◽  
Dorsal Column Stimulation ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Good to excellent relief of phantom pain is reported in 5 of 6 patients by the use of dorsal column stimulation. Follow-up periods are 7 to 25 months. One failure occurred despite excellent pain relief; this patient could not tolerate application of the DCS apparatus to his chest wall. The authors review the physiology involved and some less successful series reported by others.

Prevention of Painful Neuroma and Phantom Limb Pain After Transfemoral Amputations Through Concomitant Nerve Coaptation and Collagen Nerve Wrapping

Neurosurgery ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Economides ◽  
Michael V. DeFazio ◽  
Christopher E. Attinger ◽  
John R. Barbour
Keyword(s):  
Peroneal Nerve ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Common Peroneal Nerve ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Nerve Reconstruction ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
Postamputation Pain ◽  
Neuroma Formation

Abstract BACKGROUND: Postamputation pain is a debilitating condition that affects almost 60% of transfemoral amputees. Recent appreciation for the contribution of peripheral nerve derangement to the development of postamputation pain has resulted in focus on the role of nerve reconstruction in preventing pain after amputation. OBJECTIVE: To propose a method involving tibial and common peroneal nerve coaptation at the time of amputation, as a means to prevent residual limb pain and phantom sequelae resulting from neuroma formation. METHODS: Between May 2014 and May 2015, 17 patients underwent transfemoral amputation and nerve management through either (1) common peroneal nerve-to-tibial nerve coaptation and collagen nerve wrapping or (2) traction neurectomy alone. Visual analog scores (VAS) for pain, analgesic requirements, neuroma formation, phantom pain/sensations, and ambulatory status were compared between cohorts. RESULTS: Six patients underwent nerve coaptation/collagen nerve wrapping, whereas 11 underwent traction neurectomy. At 2 months, VAS scores were similar between cohorts (3 vs 3.82; P =.88); however, neuroma (0% vs 36.3%; P =.24) and phantom pain (0% and 54.5%; P =.03) were significantly lower after coaptation. After 6 months, VAS scores (0.75 vs 5.6; P =.02) as well as neuroma (0% vs 54.5%; P =.03) and phantom pain (0% vs 63.6%; P =.01) remained lower among patients who underwent coaptation. At follow-up, 67% of coaptation patients were ambulating with a prosthesis vs 9% of neurectomy patients (P =.01). CONCLUSION: Preemptive coaptation and collagen nerve wrapping is associated with lower VAS pain scores, phantom symptoms, and neuroma formation, with higher ambulation rates after 6 months when compared with traction neurectomy alone.

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