VR Cures Amputees' Phantom Limb Pain

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."

Comments

visualization

[lawpoop]

"...the graphics used by the computer look very crude, almost comically so, but apparently the system works."

Could this also be accomplished by hypnosis and visualization? If useful, that would reduce the cost -- namely the expensive electronics.

Re:visualization

[kfg]

Could this also be accomplished by hypnosis and visualization?

They tried that first. Works sort of, for some people. About as well as it does for sea sickness, another area where unpleasant feelings are caused by a discontinuity in what the brain "knows" and what it "sees" ( your ear "sees" you are in motion, your eyes see you are not. This does not compute and smoke pours out of your ears; and your dinner out of your stomach).

The problem is one of creating a harmonic whole of the input of all the senses. You either need to shut down the "offending" sense, or supply it with input that compliments the input to the other senses.

This particular technique focuses on supplying complimentary input. As noted elsewhere in the thread, yes, this can be done without the expensive electronics.

Simply use the old standbys of the illusionist; smoke and mirrors.

Of course mirrors are not free, electronics are getting cheaper; and many of the necessary componants of the system are already found in people's homes these days (just as for mirrors. Just because you take them for granted does not mean they are not technology).

There's also the fact that people likely find this thing fun. Something not to be overlooked in any therapy strategy, even if it costs a few extra bucks.

KFG

Mirrors in a Box

[MBCook]

I once saw something about this on TV years and years ago. People might feel a phantom limb with a fist grasped so tightly it hurt (like the fingernails in the palm and everything). It was supposed to be horrible (and I'm sure it was).

The report was on a doctor who had developed a box that the patient stuck their real arm in and using mirrors they could see both arms (obviously just a reflection). By having the patient put their "arms" in clenched and talking to them and having them relax them and thinking about unclenching the fist, it would work. The pain would go away because their brain "saw" that the first was unclenched where as before they couldn't see that. I don't know how long it worked, if it needed to be re-done every six months or whatever, but this isn't out of the blue.

Very interesting problem, phantom limb syndrome.

What if...???

[Anonymous Coward]

What if the limb is still there and the person is experiencing this PLP. My father was in a motorcycle accident over 20 years ago and still has pretty severe phantom pain. All this talk about tricking yourself into thinking its there.... it really is there and he has this pain. In the wreck nerves were severed from the spine cutting off feeling from the elbow down, but he opt to keep the arm. Just hopefull something like this might help anyway.

Hypnosis?

[msimm]

Have you ever been hypnotized? I have. 1) The number of people likely to be responsive to hypnotic suggestion is relatively small 2) the number of people susceptible to a typical induced hypnotic state is relatively small.

Hypnosis seemed fascinating to me when I was young but when I had the opportunity to experience it (or rather, not) I found out that it isn't uncommon for people to not automagically achieve a hypnotic state.

Not that I'm trying to dismiss your idea altogether, just had an interesting experience with hypnosis.

What I'd find more interesting is visualization or (quasi-)mediation. A lot of the practices that hypno-therapists use are remarkably similar to meditation practices including the use of visualization technics that seemed to me fairly esoteric (white light, breathing through feet, etc).

Re:Hypnosis?

[msimm]

I've been left with the distinct impression that hypnosis is the western answer to guided meditation and really is more a pseudo-science with a Barnum & Bailey air of mystery.

Honestly I don't see much difference myself, aside from the fact that western hypnosis seems to be a hodge-podge of tradition practices dressed up to be more palatable to modern science. Maybe its easier on the western constitution to say hypnotherapist then monk. It certainly sounds less new-agey, but I suspect there's more to meditation and culturally we are probably simply playing semantic games.

FWIW, while I was undergoing hypnotherapy my therapist did incorporation more contemporary tools such as subliminal sound and habit replacement (I was seeing the therapist to quite smoking). Not that I ever ended up achieving much of a suggestive state (smoked for about 5 years after).

Overall it was interesting and was nice to throw a little light on some of my misconceptions (the therapist became a good friend and we talked about his training and the results a bit).

Phantom Limb Sensation Is a Ton of Fun

[multiplexo]

Well, not really, the first thing I can remember from the day after my left leg was amputated (motorcycle v. pickup truck, pickup truck wins even if motorcycle has right of way) was an intense itching, like the worst case of athlete's foot ever, in the toes of my then newly up the chimney of a medical incinerator left foot. Over the next few months the phantom limb pains decreased in severity and frequency, although I still get them sometimes and they can leave me gasping for breath.

Neurologically this is kind of interesting and even somewhat cool. About 9 months after my leg was amputated I was out working in my yard clearing a drain during a rainstorm. I was standing in water up to mid calf and my right foot started to get cold because it was soaking wet. I kept mucking out the drain and then I noticed that my left foot, which is actually a cunningly crafted bit of carbon fiber from the folks at Otto Bock felt cold and wet too. It was the damnedest thing and it made me stop for a moment, it felt as if I had a left foot that was in a cold, thoroughly soaking wet sock inside of a thoroughly soaking wet boot. I finished mucking out the drain, went inside, changed into dry clothes and stuck my right foot into a tub of warm water. As my right foot warmed the sensation in my left foot gradually decreased. If I am wearing my prosthesis phantom limb pains feel as if they are coming from the ankle and/or foot of my left leg, if I'm not wearing the prosthesis they feel as if they are coming from the stump. Amputation, the gift that keeps on giving.