Sensory retraining for phantom limb pain
Researcher's name
Sarah Oatway
University
Teesside University
Supervisor's name
Professor Cormac Ryan
Project title
Sensory retraining for phantom limb pain
Outline of project
Sensory retraining is a form of treatment for Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) where a special form of electrical stimulation is delivered to the residual limb.
The theory is that this stimulation changes activity in the brain that helps to reduce the person's pain. Two new types of sensory retraining device for the treatment of phantom limb pain have been developed. One type requires the user to interact with the device while the other is a non-interactive device. Both devices are new so it is unknown as to how well they may work, or which is best, therefore both will be tested in this study.
This study will be undertaken remotely, using video call, telephone and email for communication. It will compare the effect of both devices for efficacy. 100 people with PLP will be recruited and randomised to receive either the interactive or non-interactive device or their placebo equivalents. A health care professional will train the research participants how to use their device. Participants will then use their device at home for 3 weeks. To ensure that they are using their devices as required, the researchers will keep in contact throughout the three week treatment period, using a schedule of video calls, weekly phone calls and daily texts.
Pain and function will be measured before treatment, after treatment and at a 3 month follow-up. Twelve participants will also be invited to a one-to-one interview to give their experience of the acceptability and usability of their device.
Contact email
Contact number
08007747050