Efficacy and Mechanisms of Virtual Reality Treatment of Phantom Leg Pain.Home-Based Treatment

Launched by ALBERT EINSTEIN HEALTHCARE NETWORK · Jun 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to treat phantom limb pain, which is the uncomfortable or painful feeling people often have in a leg or foot that has been amputated. Many people with this kind of pain find that usual treatments, like medications, don’t work well. This study is testing whether using virtual reality (VR) technology at home can help reduce this pain. VR lets patients see and interact with a virtual version of their missing limb, which might help ease the pain.

Adults aged 18 to 100 who have had an amputation of one leg (either above or below the knee) at least three months ago and who experience moderate to severe phantom limb pain may be eligible to join. Participants should be able to understand and agree to take part, and not have serious brain injuries, uncontrolled mental health issues, or substance abuse problems. During the study, participants will use VR treatment at home, and researchers will see if this helps reduce their pain. This approach could offer an easy and accessible option for people living with phantom limb pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 18 -100
• • Capacity to provide Informed Consent
• • Unilateral above or below knee amputation more than 3 months prior to enrollment
• • Absence of cognitive impairment, operationally defined as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 18 or greater1.
• • Pain averaged over the preceding 1 month in the phantom limb rated as greater than 4 on a scale of 0-10.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of significant medical or neurological disorder such as stroke or moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (operationally defined as loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes)
• • History of significant or poorly controlled psychiatric disorders
• • Substantial depression or anxiety affecting their ability to perform tasks necessary for the study.
• • Current abuse of alcohol or drugs, prescription or otherwise
• • Nursing a child, pregnant, or intent to become pregnant during the study