Sensory retraining for Phantom Limb Pain

Do you experience Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)?

Are you over 18 and live in the UK? Do you experience PLP at least 2 days a week, and rate that pain as more than 4 on 0-10 Scale? If you do, you are invited to find out more about taking part in this research study.

86-87% of people who have had an amputation still feel pain in the limb that has been amputated - Phantom Limb Pain (PLP). Sensory retraining is a form of treatment for PLP where a special form of electrical stimulation is delivered to the residual limb.

The theory is that this stimulation changes activity in the brain that helps to reduce the person's pain. Two new types of sensory retraining device for the treatment of phantom limb pain have been developed. One type requires the user to interact with the device while the other is a non-interactive device. Both devices are new so it is unknown as to how well they may work, or which is best, therefore both will be tested in this study.

This study will be undertaken remotely, using video call, telephone, and email for communication. The study will compare the effect of both devices for efficacy. One hundred people with PLP will be recruited from the NHS and the general public and randomised to receive either the interactive or non-interactive device or their placebo equivalents. A health care professional will train the research participants how to use their device. Participants will then use their device at home for 3 weeks. To ensure that they are using their devices as required, the researchers will keep in contact throughout the three week treatment period, using a schedule of video calls, weekly phone calls and daily texts. Pain and function will be measured before treatment, after treatment and at a 3 month follow-up. Twelve participants will also be invited to a one-to-one interview to give their experience of the acceptability and usability of their device.

Who can participate?

Recruitment is open to patients who:

• Are over 18-years-old and live in the UK
• Have an above wrist or above ankle amputation
• Experience PLP at least 2 days a week, and rate that pain as more than 4 on a 0-10 scale

Interested?

For more information, please scan the QR code or follow this link: https://research.tees.ac.uk/en/projects/an-investigation-of-the-efficacy-of-a-novel-sensory-discriminatio-2

Any questions?

Contact the study administrators: Jason McKenzie or Tristan Edwards

• Tel No: 0800 774 7050
• Email: PhantomRelieftrail@2pd.co.uk

Closing date: 30 November 2024