Immersive Healing: The Therapeutic Potential of Virtual Reality

Description

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a significant and pervasive issue among upper limb amputees, severely impacting their quality of life. The literature delineating prevalence of upper versus lower limb amputations is limited, but the prevalence of total amputations in the United States is estimated to reach 3 million individuals by 2050, with approximately 185,000 new cases annually. PLP affects 60-68% of these patients, leading to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and reduced overall well-being.

Conditions

Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a significant and pervasive issue among upper limb amputees, severely impacting their quality of life. The literature delineating prevalence of upper versus lower limb amputations is limited, but the prevalence of total amputations in the United States is estimated to reach 3 million individuals by 2050, with approximately 185,000 new cases annually. PLP affects 60-68% of these patients, leading to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and reduced overall well-being.

Immersive Healing: The Therapeutic Potential of Virtual Reality in Phantom Limb Experience

Immersive Healing: The Therapeutic Potential of Virtual Reality

Condition
Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Charlotte

OrthoCarolina Hand Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28207

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * History of major limb amputation
  • * Age \> 18 years old
  • * Presence of phantom limb pain or negative phantom sensation(s)
  • * Active mental illness, neurological disease, or cognitive impairment that would interfere with survey completion
  • * Those without phantom limb pain or negative phantom limb sensations
  • * Non-English speaking

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Wake Forest University Health Sciences,

Glenn Gaston, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute

Study Record Dates

2025-10