The Effects of Targeted Phantom Motor Execution on Phantom Limb Control

Summary

Lower limb amputations account for more than 85% of all amputations. In Canada, it has been reported that transtibial amputation (TTA) is the most common level of amputation. Many people with limb amputation have awareness and feel that their missing limb still exists (phantom limb), with perceptions of sensation or pain, and the ability to move the limb with or without intention. Phantom limb sensation (PLS) is defined as all non-painful somatic sensations (e.g. sense of the limb position, touch, pressure, warmth or cold, or movement) in the missing part of the limb. The incidence of PLS is about 60% in adults after 17 months. In addition to PLS, 60-70% of people with amputation experience phantom limb pain (PLP), an intense chronic pain perception in their phantom limb, in the first year after amputation. Although PLP is well known to decrease the quality of life and lessen function, little is known about PLS and phantom limb control (PLC), the ability to intentionally move or control movements of the phantom limb. Enhancing PLS and PLC especially in the immediate months after amputation, could decrease painful perception, facilitate prosthetic control, and improve the function of people with amputations. Keeping this therapeutic and rehabilitative significance in mind, it is hypothesized that a targeted program of phantom motor execution, designed to address phantom limb awareness (PLA), the general knowledge of the presence or existence of the missing limb as one's own, could be associated with improving PLC in people with TTA. Furthermore, prosthetic embodiment, the sense that the prosthesis is accepted as a part of the body with the same functional abilities, may play a role in PLC. Investigating the association of PLC, as one of the phantom phenomena (i.e. PLA, PLS, PLP, and PLC), with surgical, clinical, and demographic characteristics of people with TTA will provide better insight into how phantom phenomena develop. The association of PLC with physical function has significant clinical importance that has never been investigated in people with TTA.

Conditions

• Phantom Limb
• Motor Activity
• Amputation Stump
• Amputation

Interventions

OTHER

Targeted phantom limb motor execution (exercise)

The targeted phantom motor execution is a specific training program for people with TTA that has been designed to improve the muscles' strength, coordination, and flexibility at the amputated and contralateral intact sides. Such training consists of repeated short-term, short rest interval, and moderate-intensity exercises (Schoenfeld 2010, Krutki, Mrowczynski et al. 2017). Targeted phantom motor execution can improve the body image considering its induced muscular impacts. People with TTA will be trained to follow specific movements of their foot-ankle complexes simultaneously, in order to increase PLA, as well as induce muscular morphologic and brain neuroplastic changes (Moseley and Brugger 2009).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Manitoba

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Saskatchewan

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Audrey Zucker-Levin, Professor · University of Saskatchewan

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-06-01

Primary Completion

2023-03-01

Completion

2023-05-01

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations