Many people who have lost a leg or arm experience a persistent sensation known as a “phantom limb”, which can be associated with debilitating pain. Current therapies fall short of bringing relief to most of these individuals, but recent research using virtual reality equipment is showing promise.
In this video, MRRI Associate Director Laurel Buxbaum, PsyD, explains the reearch and results so far.
MRRI is looking for people with below-the-knee leg amputation(s) and phantom limb pain to participate in a virtual reality research study.
The study requires approximately two 90 minute visits per week for about six weeks. You will be paid $25 for each visit. Some reimbursement for transportation is available. Continue Reading
Standard treatment generally doesn’t provide relief for people with amputations who experience phantom limb pain. However, research on the use of virtual reality has recently shown promise for this new approach.
Laurel J. Buxbaum, PsyD, associate director of MRRI, and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, in Stuttgart, Germany, recently published research about the use of immersive low-cost virtual reality treatment for the treatment of phantom limb pain. Continue Reading
The emergence of new technologies has added fascinating new dimensions to MRRI’s research in translational neurorehabilitation. Using virtual reality in the treatment of phantom limb pain, noninvasive brain stimulation to improve stroke patients’ motor deficits, and iPhone apps to track concussion symptoms after a sports injury are some of the ways in which MRRI researchers are using tech in their work. Here’s an overview of the ways in which researchers Laurel Buxbaum, Amanda Rabinowitz, and Shailesh Kantak are using tech to push neurorehabilitation research into the future. Continue Reading