Treatment of phantom limb pain with combined EMG and thermal biofeedback: a case report.
Phantom pain is a frequent consequence of the amputation of an extremity and causes considerable discomfort and disruption of daily activities. This study describes a patient with extreme phantom limb pain following amputation of the right upper limb. The treatment consisted of 6 sessions of EMG biofeedback followed by 6 sessions of temperature biofeedback. The patient did not use a prosthesis and had not received previous treatment for chronic pain. Results demonstrated complete elimination of phantom limb pain after treatment, which was maintained at a 3- and 12-month follow-up. Pain relief covaried with increase in skin temperature at stump and perceptual telescoping (retraction of phantom limb into stump).
Belleggia
G
G
Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Italy.
Birbaumer
N
N
D000368:Aged; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D004576:Electromyography; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011603:Psychophysiology; D012881:Skin Temperature; D016896:Treatment Outcome