Home brain stimulation plus guided touch for phantom limb pain
Pragmatic Trial of Remote tDCS and Somatosensory Training for Phantom Limb Pain with Machine Learning to Predict Treatment Response
['FUNDING_R01'] · SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL · NIH-11321673
This project sees if a portable brain stimulation device combined with guided touch exercises can lower phantom limb pain for people who have lost a limb.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHARLESTOWN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11321673 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would use a lightweight, portable transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device at home together with guided somatosensory (touch) training. Treatment sessions are monitored remotely and the team collects pain reports and simple physiologic data such as parasympathetic tone. The researchers will apply statistical and machine learning methods to predict who benefits most from the therapy. This pragmatic approach moves the therapy out of the lab and into everyday life to test real-world use and feasibility.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with phantom limb pain after amputation who are willing to use a home tDCS device and follow guided touch training and remote monitoring are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without phantom limb pain or those with medical reasons that prevent brain stimulation (for example implanted electronic devices or uncontrolled seizures) may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a low-cost, safe home treatment that reduces phantom limb pain and improves daily comfort.
How similar studies have performed: Previous controlled work by this team showed tDCS plus somatosensory training reduced phantom limb pain, and this project extends that work to a home-based, real-world setting with prediction tools.
Where this research is happening
CHARLESTOWN, UNITED STATES
- SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL — CHARLESTOWN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FREGNI, FELIPE — SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: FREGNI, FELIPE
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.