Acupuncture for Phantom Limb Pain

NCT ID: NCT00460161

Last Updated: 2009-02-18

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

SUSPENDED

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2009-02-28

Brief Summary

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Phantom pain is a common complication following limb amputation, and is thought to result from a system of pathophysiological mechanisms - peripheral, spinal, central and psychological. Treatment is primarily medical, using antidepressant and anticonvulsant medications. At present, there is no evidence-based approach for the management of phantom limb pain (PLP). Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment during which thin needles (diameter 0.20-0.30mm) are inserted into various points on the skin. Studies of this treatment have found significant benefit in a number of conditions with chronic pain.

We propose a randomized, double-blind, placebo/sham -controlled study to evaluate whether acupuncture is an effective and safe modality for preventing and reducing PLP in patients following lower limb amputation. Patients requiring lower limb amputation (above-ankle) will be randomized into two groups, for real or placebo/sham acupuncture treatment. Both groups will be treated twice-weekly with a standardized (as opposed to individualized) acupuncture treatment protocol, using either true or placebo needles at sham acupuncture points, for a period of four weeks (eight treatments).

The primary outcome to be evaluated will be PLP at 4 weeks, using a site-specific numerical rating pain scale (ss-NRS). Secondary outcome measures to be evaluated are: stump pain (ss-NRS); analgesic use (Tramadol, 100mg Tablet); and depressive symptoms, using the Beck Depression Score. Blinding of the participants will be evaluated using a Validation of Blinding Questionnaire at the end of the treatment period.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Phantom Limb Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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1

true acupuncture

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

acupuncture

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

2 treatments/week for 4 weeks

2

placebo/sham acupuncture

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

placebo/sham acupuncture

Intervention Type OTHER

2 treatments/week for 4 weeks

Interventions

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acupuncture

2 treatments/week for 4 weeks

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

placebo/sham acupuncture

2 treatments/week for 4 weeks

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Patients of either gender
* Age 18 years and older
* Scheduled for lower single limb amputation (above or below knee)
* Ability to comply with study protocol

Exclusion Criteria

* Patients requiring limb amputation due to trauma
* Patients displaying symptoms of overt Axis-1 psychopathology such as Schizophrenia or Substance Abuse
* Inability to comply with the study protocol
* Previous experience with acupuncture treatment; current use of complementary or alternative medical treatments.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Shaare Zedek Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Shaare Zedek Medical Center

Principal Investigators

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Noah Samuels, M.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

Locations

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Shaare Zedek Medical Center

Jerusalem, , Israel

Site Status

Countries

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Israel

Other Identifiers

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ACP.PLP.10.06

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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