Virtual reality treatment for phantom leg pain
Efficacy and Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Treatment of Phantom Leg Pain
['FUNDING_R01'] · ALBERT EINSTEIN HEALTHCARE NETWORK · NIH-11175512
This project uses virtual reality sessions that show and move a virtual leg to try to reduce phantom leg pain and develop a home version patients can use.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | ALBERT EINSTEIN HEALTHCARE NETWORK (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11175512 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned to either an 'Active VR' program that shows a moving virtual leg or a commercially available VR pain program to compare which works better. The team will build a home-based version of whichever VR approach proves most helpful so you could continue therapy outside the clinic. Before and after treatment, researchers will take ultra–high-resolution (7T) brain scans to look for brain changes linked to pain relief and to search for imaging markers that predict who benefits. They will combine clinical and imaging data to create a biomarker-based plan to help personalize home VR treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a leg amputation who have ongoing phantom limb pain, can use VR equipment, and can undergo 7T MRI scans are the best fit for participation.
Not a fit: People without phantom limb pain, those with only arm amputations, or anyone who cannot tolerate VR headsets or cannot undergo high-field MRI are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a non-drug, home-based VR therapy to lower phantom leg pain for people with amputations.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier smaller studies by this team showed active VR reduced phantom limb pain in below-knee amputees, but home-based delivery and detailed brain-imaging biomarkers are newer elements.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- ALBERT EINSTEIN HEALTHCARE NETWORK — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BUXBAUM, LAUREL J — ALBERT EINSTEIN HEALTHCARE NETWORK
- Study coordinator: BUXBAUM, LAUREL J
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.