Mobile App-Based Rehabilitation for Phantom Limb Pain in Veterans With Lower Limb Amputations

What this Trial Is About

Phantom Limb Pain PLP is a common and challenging type of nerve pain experienced by many Veterans who have had lower limb amputations. This study aims to improve a mobile app that uses graded motor imagery GMI to help manage PLP in Veterans. The research focuses on refining the app and testing it in a pilot study to see how acceptable and feasible it is for Veterans to use at home, with the goal of informing future larger studies on this intervention. The intervention involves using a mobile app designed for graded motor imagery, which includes sequential activities such as limb laterality training, motor imagery, and mirror therapy. The study will first refine the app with 12 Veterans and then pilot test it with 36 Veterans who have unilateral below-knee amputations and moderate to severe PLP. Each Veteran will complete twelve sessions of the GMI intervention using the app in their home environment, followed by 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. Participants will be involved in virtual study activities, including using the mobile app for their intervention sessions and completing assessments through telehealth. Researchers will measure the primary outcome of intervention acceptability and secondary outcomes related to pain interference and experiences. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted to understand the benefits and challenges of using the app at home. The study is expected to last five years, with recruitment and follow-up completed within this period.

Home-based Rehabilitation Intervention for Phantom Limb Pain in Veterans With Lower Limb Amputations