Restoring movement representation and alleviating phantom limb pain through short-term neurorehabilitation with a virtual reality system

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Osumi ◽  
A. Ichinose ◽  
M. Sumitani ◽  
N. Wake ◽  
Y. Sano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Virtual Reality System ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Movement Representation

Immersive Virtual Reality System for Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Covarrubias Rodriguez ◽  
Beatrice Aruanno ◽  
Monica Bordegoni ◽  
Mauro Rossini ◽  
Franco Molteni
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Motion Sensor ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Reality System ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Oculus Rift ◽  
Head Mounted Display

This paper presents an immersive virtual reality system (IVRS) that has been designed for unilateral amputees in order to reduce the phantom limb pain (PLP). The patient’s healthy limb is tracked by using a motion sensor. Data of the limb in motion are used as input parameters to move the phantom limb in the immersive virtual reality system. In this way, the patient has the illusion of moving the phantom limb while moving the real and contra-lateral limb. The system has been implemented by using low cost and open technologies, and combines the Oculus Rift SDK2 device, the LeapMotion device, a motion sensor, and an engine for interactive 3D content and gaming generation (Unity 3D). The Oculus Rift head mounted display is used to provide the immersive experience.

Electrical stimulation of referred sensation area alleviates phantom limb pain

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Michihiro Osumi ◽  
Daisuke Shimizu ◽  
Yuki Nishi ◽  
Shu Morioka
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background: Patients with brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) usually experience phantom sensations and phantom limb pain (PLP) in the deafferented limb. It has been suggested that evoking the sensation of touch in the deafferented limb by stimulating referred sensation areas (RSAs) on the cheek or shoulder might alleviate PLP. However, feasible rehabilitation techniques using this approach have not been reported. Objective: The present study sought to examine the analgesic effects of simple electrical stimulation of RSAs in BPA patients with PLP. Methods: Study 1: Electrical stimulation of RSAs for 60 minutes was conducted for six BPA patients suffering from PLP to examine short-term analgesic effects. Study 2: A single case design experiment was conducted with two BPA patients to investigate whether electrical stimulation of RSAs was more effective for alleviating PLP than control electrical stimulation (electrical stimulation of sites on side opposite to the RSAs), and to elucidate the long-term effects of electrical stimulation of RSAs. Results: Study 1: Electrical stimulation of RSAs evoked phantom touch sensations in the deafferented limb, and significantly alleviated PLP (p <  0.05). Study 2: PLP was alleviated more after electrical stimulation on RSAs compared with control electrical stimulation (p <  0.05). However, the analgesic effects of electrical stimulation on RSAs were observed only in the short term, not in the long term (p >  0.05). Conclusions: Electrical stimulation of RSAs not only evoked phantom touch sensation but also alleviated PLP in the short term. The results indicate that electrical stimulation of RSAs may provide a useful practical rehabilitation technique for PLP. Future studies will be required to clarify the mechanisms underlying immediate PLP alleviation via electrical stimulation of RSAs.

scholarly journals Virtual reality (VR) treatment for phantom limb pain

PAIN RESEARCH ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Masahiko Sumitani ◽  
Michihiro Osumi ◽  
Kazunori Inomata ◽  
Yuko Otake ◽  
Reo Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Pain

A Virtual Reality Intervention for the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain: Development and Feasibility Results

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2051-2059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Rutledge ◽  
Deborah Velez ◽  
Colin Depp ◽  
John R McQuaid ◽  
Garland Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Baseline Visit ◽  
Adverse Experiences ◽  
Treatment Measures ◽  
User Ratings ◽  
Very High

Abstract Objective To describe the development of a virtual reality (VR) treatment for phantom limb pain (PLP) and phantom sensations and provide feasibility data from testing the treatment in a population of veterans. Design & Subjects Fourteen participants completed a baseline visit evaluating their amputation, PLP, and phantom sensations. Subsequently, participants completed a VR treatment modeled after mirror therapy for PLP, navigating in a VR environment with a bicycle pedaler and motion sensor to pair their cadence to a VR avatar. The VR avatar enabled visualization of the participant’s intact phantom limb in motion, a hypothesized mechanism of mirror therapy. Setting Laboratory. Methods Participants completed pre- and post-treatment measures to evaluate changes in PLP, phantom sensations, and rate helpfulness, realism, immersion, adverse experiences, and treatment satisfaction. Results Eight of 14 participants (57.1%) reported PLP pre–VR treatment, and 93% (13/14) reported one or more unpleasant phantom sensations. After treatment, 28.6% (4/14) continued to report PLP symptoms (t[13] = 2.7, P = 0.02, d = 0.53) and 28.6% (4/14) reported phantom sensations (t[13] = 4.4, P = 0.001, d = 1.7). Ratings of helpfulness, realism, immersion, and satisfaction were uniformly high to very high. There were no adverse experiences. Four participants completed multiple VR treatments, showing stable improvements in PLP intensity and phantom sensations and high user ratings. Conclusions This feasibility study of a novel VR intervention for PLP was practical and was associated with significant reductions in PLP intensity and phantom sensations. Our findings support continued research in VR-based treatments in PLP, with a need for direct comparisons between VR and more established PLP treatments.

Exploratory findings with virtual reality for phantom limb pain; from stump motion to agency and analgesia

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 846-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Cole ◽  
Simon Crowle ◽  
Greg Austwick ◽  
David Henderson Slater
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Pain
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