VR technology eases phantom limb pain after amputation

Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist is a member of an international research team that has studied how a novel treatment method affects amputees in Sweden and the Netherlands.

After an amputation, patients often experience phantom pain stemming from the removed body part.

“Although the part of the body causing pain is removed, the nerves remain. The brain misinterprets and believes the pain is still there,” says Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist.

Virtual body part on a display

Researchers have now investigated how virtual and augmented reality can treat phantom limb pain (PLP). With electrodes attached to the stump where a body part has been amputated, patients can view a virtual limb shown on a display. By contracting their muscles, they can control the movement of the virtual limb.

“It’s about tricking the brain into taking control over the phantom,” says Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist.

Patients gradually train their ability to control their phantom limb.

“At first, the movements are exaggerated, but many patients progress to the point where they can perform more precise actions, such as wiggling their toes, even though the foot is gone. They describe feeling significantly less pain in the foot once they’ve mastered wiggling their toes,” Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist explains.

A profound impact on happiness

Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist interviewed patients treated with the new method to understand how their daily lives are affected by amputation and the new treatment.

“It had a profound impact on their happiness and quality of life. Chronic pain drains their will to live. Many had stopped doing activities they enjoyed – just to cope with must-dos. After the treatment, they expressed that they started doing things they hadn’t the energy to do for years,” she says.

An unexpected finding was that many patients lacked knowledge about phantom pain. Several interviewees had not received any information about it upon amputation.

“They got a prosthesis but say there was minimal discussion about the possibility of phantom pain. Many don’t understand why they’re experiencing pain in a limb that’s no longer there. We’ve noticed that some are even hesitant to talk about it. They think they might be going crazy,” says Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist.

Missed being able to train at home

Most patients wanted to continue the exercises to keep the pain at bay. While some felt they learned to control their muscles well enough to perform the exercises independently, many missed the opportunity to practice at home with the same equipment.

“While some learned to control their muscles and continue on their own, others find it difficult without the display – and would have preferred to take it home,” says Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist.