Assessing the Feasibility of a Virtual Reality Intervention for Phantom Pain Immediately Following Lower Limb Amputation

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA · Oct 9, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to help people who experience phantom limb pain (PLP) after having a leg amputated. Phantom limb pain is the sensation of pain in a limb that is no longer there, and this study aims to see if a virtual reality (VR) program can help manage this pain right after the surgery. The researchers want to find out if the VR treatment is acceptable to patients, if they can recruit enough participants to represent those in need, and whether using the VR program more often leads to less severe pain.

Eligible participants are individuals aged 18 and older who have had or are about to have a lower limb amputation and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Winnipeg, Canada. During the study, participants will use the VR program daily for about 17 sessions, whether in the hospital, at home, or in physical therapy clinics. After each session, they will answer questions about their pain, how they feel, and their experience with the VR program. A month after finishing, researchers will check in to see how their pain levels are doing. Overall, this study is a valuable step toward understanding how technology can improve the lives of those dealing with phantom limb pain after amputation.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • if they underwent or are about to undergo an LLA (hip, below-knee, above-knee, or foot) within the last two months
• • if they are currently receiving inpatient treatment at the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) in Winnipeg, Canada
• • if they can speak/read English fluently
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • any visual, hearing, or motor impairment that would affect engaging with a head-mounted VR headset or hand controls, as interpreted by the research team or nursing staff