Home-based therapy for managing phantom limb pain in Veterans with amputations
Home-based rehabilitation intervention for phantom limb pain in Veterans with lower limb amputations
This study is creating a friendly mobile app to help Veterans with lower limb amputations manage phantom limb pain using fun exercises that train the brain, and we want to hear from them to make sure the app works well for their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minneapolis VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11010375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a mobile app to help Veterans with lower limb amputations manage phantom limb pain (PLP) through a technique called graded motor imagery (GMI). The approach involves training the brain to recognize the missing limb through exercises that include limb laterality training, motor imagery, and mirror therapy. Veterans will participate in interviews to provide feedback on the app, which will be refined based on their experiences to ensure it meets their needs. The goal is to create an effective, user-friendly tool that can be used at home to alleviate pain and improve rehabilitation outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans with lower limb amputations who experience moderate to severe phantom limb pain.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have lower limb amputations or do not experience phantom limb pain may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide Veterans with a convenient and effective way to manage phantom limb pain, enhancing their quality of life and rehabilitation success.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using graded motor imagery techniques for pain management, indicating potential success for this novel application in a mobile format.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rich, Tonya L — Minneapolis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rich, Tonya L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.