Efficacy and Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Treatment of Phantom Leg Pain.Home-Based Treatment
After amputation of an arm or leg, up to 90% of subjects experience a phantom limb, a phenomenon characterized by persistent feelings of the missing limb. Many subjects with a phantom limb experience intense pain in the missing extremity that is often poorly responsive to medications or other interventions. The study will explore the feasibility and efficacy of a home-based, active VR treatment for phantom limb pain (PLP).
• Age 18 -100
• Capacity to provide Informed Consent
• Unilateral above or below knee amputation more than 3 months prior to enrollment
• Absence of cognitive impairment, operationally defined as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 18 or greater1.
• Pain averaged over the preceding 1 month in the phantom limb rated as greater than 4 on a scale of 0-10.