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VR Cures Amputees' Phantom Limb Pain

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the all-appendages-functioning dept.

An anonymous reader writes, "Scientists have developed a virtual world like Second Life where real-life amputees have their limbs restored. The experience can cure patients of the perception of pain in their missing limbs. From the article: 'The machine is designed to combat phantom limb pain (PLP) — a sensation of pain experienced by an amputee that appears to originate in the missing limb. Intriguingly, researchers have discovered that if a person's brain can be tricked into believing they can see and move a "phantom limb," this motion reduces the perception of pain in PLP.' The graphics used by the computer look very crude, almost comically so, but apparently the system works."

7 of 84 comments (clear)

  1. If this really works... by dada21 · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...what kind of VR would they use for John Bobbitt, and would the pro-family values conservatives approve of that form of medical "service?"

    1. Re:If this really works... by Fozzyuw · · Score: 2, Funny
      ...what kind of VR would they use for John Bobbitt

      The only thing that popped into my mind is... why is Bobbitt the first thing on your mind, to associate it with this article?

      --
      "The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth." ~1984 George Orwell
  2. 2nd life by glen · · Score: 2, Funny
    The graphics used by the computer look very crude, almost comically so...

    Wow, it really is like second life.
  3. Cool, but... by TheSHAD0W · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...Can we throw in some cacodemons and a grenade launcher to spice up the rehab sessions?

  4. HeAdOn: VR by RipTides9x · · Score: 2, Funny

    VR: Attach it directly to your forehead
    VR: Attach it directly to your forehead
    VR: Attach it directly to your forehead

    Now available without a prescription.

  5. Will it work for people... by p00ked · · Score: 2, Funny

    who lost their genitalia in an unfortunate smelting accident?

  6. The Phantom Menace by Narril+Duskwalker · · Score: 2, Funny
    "The graphics used by the computer look very crude, almost comically so, but apparently the system works."

    Seems like helping to battle this phantom menace would be a good project for ILM to get involved with. Just leave JarJar out of it this time ;)