By Kristi Turner, DHS, OTR/L Senior Research Occupational Therapist II, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Researchers at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are seeking participants who experience phantom limb pain. This research will evaluate a new virtual reality game-based system for phantom limb pain management.
Do you have Phantom Limb Pain? Participate in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Intuitively-Controlled Virtual Reality to Treat Phantom Limb Pain Study
This research study is assessing the design and functionality of a new game-based system for managing phantom limb pain. The system utilizes virtual reality games and includes a band with sensors that you would wear around your residual limb. These sensors connect wirelessly to a video game environment. You will also be asked to complete follow-up questionnaires.
Eligibility Criteria
- 18 years of age or older
- Have an arm and/or leg amputation(s) or limb difference(s) – including multiple limbs
- English speaking
- Experience phantom limb pain
- Taking the same pain medications for at least 1 month, or do not take pain medication
People recruited for the study will:
- Speak with a Shirley Ryan AbilityLab researcher to determine eligibility
- Use the provided system to play games in a mobile app
- Participate in up to 4 training visits
- Your residual limb will be fit with an electrode cuff and you will be guided through how to use the system using the muscles in your residual limb
- Complete an 8-week home trial
- You will be asked to use the system for 20-40 minutes, 4-5 times a week
- Participate in 4 follow-up visits
All visits can be done in-person (within Chicagoland area) or virtually via a secure Zoom meeting.
You will be compensated for your participation:
- Up to $780
- Initial visit: $40, Training visit(s): $40-$80
- 8-week home trial: $50 per week ($400 total)
- Follow-up visits: $40 (week 8), $40 (week 16), $40 (week 24), $40 (week 32)
What happens next? If interested, please contact us: CBM@sralab.org or call (312) 238-2080
Help spread the word! Do you know someone else who has phantom limb pain? Please share this study with them!
IRB Project #: STU00213205-CR0002
Principal Investigator: Levi Hargrove, PhD
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an academic affiliate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.