The Origin of Phantom Limb Sensation and Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees

National Taiwan University

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Exposure to Infrared Radiation

Treatments: Other: Far infrared ray to the sole

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01936558

201210078RIC

Details and patient eligibility

About

With the far infrared ray applied to the 'phantom limbs' in amputees and the corresponding normal legs in healthy subjects, the sensation of (phantom) limb will be assessed for each subject using the techniques of fMRI and meridian response.

Full description

This project will investigate two main hypotheses based on our previous studies on phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain. The first hypothesis states that phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain both correlate with the 'phantom limb', while the second one maintains that the phantom limb can interact with the patient's body by means of the meridian system. With the far infrared ray applied to the 'phantom limbs' in amputees and the corresponding normal legs in healthy subjects, the sensation of (phantom) limb will be assessed for each subject using the techniques of fMRI and meridian response. By analyzing the data collected from both groups, the investigators expect both hypotheses will be supported by the results of experiments in this project.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Amputees: at least one arm or one leg amputated
• Healthy subjects: healthy person under 30 years old

Exclusion criteria

• with mental diseases

Trial design

20 participants in 2 patient groups

Amputees

Description:

Amputee with one arm or one leg amputated/ Far infrared ray to the phantom limb site

Treatment:

Other: Far infrared ray to the sole

Healthy subjects

Description:

Healthy subjects under 30 years old/ Far infrared ray to the sole

Treatment:

Other: Far infrared ray to the sole