Operant Conditioning of Sensory Evoked Potentials to Reduce Phantom Limb Pain
The study will investigate the application of a non-pharmacological operant conditioning approach to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP). PLP afflicts 60-90% people who have lost a limb. It can last for years and lead to drug dependence, job loss, and poor quality of life. Current non-pharmacological interventions are encouraging but limited, and their efficacy remains unclear. Limb amputation is known to lead to abnormal sensorimotor reorganization in the brain. Multiple studies have shown that PLP severity is correlated with the extent of this reorganization. The current study will train participants via realtime feedback of brain responses to promote more normal sensorimotor response, with the goal to reduce phantom limb pain.
• An upper (or lower limb) amputation more than 6 months ago, that has produced a moderate to severe hand/arm (or foot/leg) phantom limb pain,
• Male or female age 18 years or older,
• Medical clearance to participate,
• Reasonable expectation that ongoing medications, if any, will be maintained without change for at least 4 months from the start of the study,
• Able to provide informed consent and to understand the study instructions,
• Able to participate in the specific study procedures.