Preventing phantom limb pain from becoming chronic with mirror therapy and tDCS

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The investigators will enroll adults with a single limb amputation within the past 12 weeks who report acute phantom limb pain and apply a combined intervention of mirror therapy and tDCS early after pain onset. Participants will receive supervised sessions of mirror-based sensorimotor training alongside noninvasive low‑current brain stimulation aimed at modulating cortical excitability. The protocol targets the acute phase of PLP to try to prevent maladaptive neuroplastic changes that contribute to chronification. Standard inclusion/exclusion criteria limit enrollment to patients with healed stumps and without neurological, psychiatric, or device-related contraindications.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults (age ≥18);
* Amputation of a single limb ≤12 weeks ago; during this period of time, 80% of amputees develop PLP. Both upper and lower limb amputees are included to increase feasibility;
* Acute PLP stage (2 weeks since first report), with intensity ≥3 on a 0-10 VAS;
* No change in medication in past week, excluding pro re nata analgesics;
* Can understand the study's purpose and instructions;
* Agrees to participate and to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Stump wound not healed;
* Other psychological, psychiatric, or neurological conditions;
* Contraindications for tDCS or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (MRI data will not be analyzed in the proposed PhD project), including previous seizure, loss of consciousness due to head injury, metal in the head, implanted devices, claustrophobia, a skin condition or an unhealed wound on the scalp, and possibility of being pregnant;
* Inability to provide informed consent or understand or carry out the experiment.

Where it's running

• Loewenstein Hospital
  Raanana, Israel, Israel Recruiting
• Reut Medical Center
  Tel Aviv, Israel, Israel Recruiting
• Sheba Medical Center
  Tel Aviv, Israel Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Roi Treister, PhD
• Email: rtreister@univ.haifa.ac.il
• Phone: +972533839935

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.