Study of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation TENS to Restore Sensory Feedback and Improve Phantom Limb Perception in Adults with Lower Limb Amputation

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation TENS on people with lower limb amputations. The study aims to assess how TENS treatment changes the perception of phantom limb pain and affects posture, balance, and walking ability. The trial involves adults with unilateral transtibial or transfemoral amputations who meet specific health and mobility criteria. Participants will undergo 20 sessions over 4 weeks, including mapping sessions to identify nerve stimulation points, stimulus intensity discrimination sessions to train perception of different electrical stimuli, rehabilitative sessions combining TENS with walking exercises or proprioceptive training, and evaluation sessions to measure progress. Each session lasts about 60 minutes, except evaluations which last about 90 minutes. The treatment uses a custom electrical stimulation device synchronized with walking tasks and sometimes a robotic treadmill with virtual reality. Throughout the study, participants will be regularly assessed using psychometric questionnaires and detailed gait analysis with motion tracking cameras and force platforms. Evaluations occur at the start, middle, and end of the 4-week period. Researchers will monitor changes in phantom limb perception, walking performance on various surfaces, and neuropathic pain levels. The study ends with the final evaluation or earlier if the participant withdraws or passes away.

TENS for Restoring Somatotopic Sensory Feedback in Lower Limb Amputees and Improving Phantom Limb Perception