VA Office of Research and Development
Nearly 60-85% of Veterans with amputations experience pain at the location of the amputated limb called phantom limb pain (PLP). PLP is a major problem and can have a profound impact on Veteran's daily function and ability to fully participate in life. Although several rehabilitation interventions are promising, advances in novel rehabilitation interventions are limited. The objective of this project is to refine a mobile app for graded motor imagery in 12 Veterans with amputations and test the mobile app with 36 Veterans with amputations. For this pilot project, the investigators will measure the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Knowledge from this project will provide evidence to guide future larger studies of this graded motor imagery intervention. Developing novel strategies for chronic pain in this population will positively impact quality of life for Veterans with amputations.
Background: Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a form of unpredictable neuropathic pain in Veterans with amputation. Current non-medication treatments for PLP are limited and more interventions are needed that take into consideration the unique needs of the Veteran population. PLP significantly impairs rehabilitation outcomes and community participation. One non-medication intervention is graded motor imagery (GMI). GMI consists of sequentially progressing from limb laterality training, to motor imagery, and then mirror therapy (i.e., observing movement using the visual illusion of an intact limb in a…
Inclusion Criteria: * Must be a military Veteran * \>1 year since unilateral below knee amputation * Moderate or severe (NRS score 4 on a 0-10 scale) PLP * Stable medications over the past 2 weeks * Willing and able to give informed consent * Able to participate in the telehealth study activities with a personal device Exclusion Criteria: * Unstable medical conditions (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, heart failure exacerbation) * Unstable mental illness or substance use disorder (e.g., active suicidality or psychosis) * Unable to give informed consent due to a cognitive impairment * Fibromyalg…
The Graded Motor Imagery mobile app is a mobile app designed for intervention in phantom limb pain.
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