Reduction of chronic pain and cortical reorganization by training with mobile therapy-supporting systems

Not Applicable

• Conditions: G54.6; G54.0; Brachial plexus disorders; Phantom limb syndrome with pain

• Registration Number: DRKS00030725
• Lead Sponsor: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena; Klinische Psychologie

Brief Summary

MEG recordings due to somatosensory stimulation at the lip and the intact arm show similar cortical reorganization in patients after amputation and in patients with lesions of the plexus brachialis.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-11-09
• Study Completion: 2023-08-31
• Last Update Posted: 19 August 2024

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Complete
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

Arm 1: Subjects with upper extremity amputations with pain sensation
- Arm 2: Subjects with brachial plexus injury with paralyzed arm and pain sensation
- Arm 3: Healthy subjects matched for sex and age with subjects from arms 1 and 2

- Sufficient cognitive and communication skills to participate in a series of tests and understand instructions

Exclusion Criteria

- Age under 18 or over 80 years
- Severe neurological comorbidity that limits cognition and movement beyond the arm
- Severe functional limitations of both arms
- Manifest mental disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders), addictive behavior, defined as the abuse of drugs
- Visual limitations that interfere with viewing the virtual image without interference
- Pregnancy
- Reasons to exclude from MEG and/or MRT investigation (ferromagnetic parts in the body, cochlea implants, heart pacemakers etc.)

Study & Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Reduction of cortical reorganization after the use of VR therapy systems (post vs. baseline), measured as changes in dipole localizations to tactile stimulation of lips and fingers as well as changes in activation by movements in fMRI.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Reduction of pain after the use of VR therapy systems (post vs. baseline); changes in resting state fMRI and functional connectivity e.g. during pain assessment