Understanding what causes phantom limb pain after amputation
Official title: Examining Factors of Phantom Limb Pain through Person-Centered Assessment
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10922729 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at what causes phantom limb pain in people who have had an amputation, and it involves talking to those individuals to better understand their experiences and gather real-time feedback to help create more personalized treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 29, 2023 |
| Project end | September 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $35,417 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS134186-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922729 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone an amputation and experience phantom limb pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced amputation or do not suffer from phantom limb pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the factors that contribute to phantom limb pain experienced by individuals after amputation. It utilizes a method called ecological momentary assessment (EMA), which involves real-time surveys to gather data on personal and environmental influences affecting pain. The study aims to engage individuals with amputations through focus groups to discuss their experiences and refine survey questions. By identifying these factors, the research seeks to pave the way for personalized treatment approaches for phantom limb pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and tailored treatments for individuals suffering from phantom limb pain.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using ecological momentary assessment to understand pain experiences, suggesting this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Falbo, Kierra J — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Falbo, Kierra J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Home brain stimulation plus guided touch for phantom limb pain
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.
-
Home-based rehabilitation for phantom limb pain using a mobile app
A mobile app offers guided graded motor imagery exercises to help Veterans with lower-limb amputations manage phantom limb pain at home.
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Home-based therapy for managing phantom limb pain in Veterans with 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.
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Training the brain to reduce phantom limb pain
This study is testing a new, gentle therapy to help people who have lost a limb feel less phantom limb pain by training their brains to better process sensations.
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Neuropathic pain after childhood amputation
This project sees how common phantom and residual limb neuropathic pain is and how it affects children and teens who had limb amputations.
-
Effects of magnetic stimulation on phantom limb pain in amputees
This study tests if using magnetic stimulation can help reduce phantom limb pain in people who have had upper limb amputations.
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.