Optimizing Rehabilitation for Phantom Limb Pain Using Mirror Therapy and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

NCT ID: NCT02487966

Last Updated: 2025-09-25

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

132 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2015-07-31

Study Completion Date

2026-12-21

Brief Summary

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This is a two-site study that explores the effects of mirror therapy and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS, Soterix ©) in a randomized factorial controlled trial in which patients will be assigned to one of four groups: active tDCS and active MT; sham tDCS and active MT; active tDCS and sham MT (which consists of using a covered mirror for the therapy); and both sham tDCS and sham MT (covered mirror).

Detailed Description

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Phantom limb pain (PLP) belongs to a group of neuropathic pain syndromes that is characterized by pain in the amputated limb. Rehabilitation for chronic pain involves a structured treatment plan targeting all dimensions of the pain experience, and should include a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach that allows patients to receive the most benefit according to their needs. As in other chronic pain syndromes, chronic Phantom limb pain (PLP) is often difficult to treat; showing to be resistant to classical pharmacological and surgical treatment approaches.

In this context, we hypothesize that novel treatments of PLP need to target specific neural networks associated with this maladaptive plasticity. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS,Soterix ©) is a powerful and non-invasive technique of brain stimulation that is known to significantly modulate plasticity and alleviate chronic pain in various syndromes. device for this trial. This study usiGiven tDCS underlying neural mechanisms, it is critical to use a multimodal approach to treatment - using both tDCS and behavioral therapy simultaneously. In this case, an ideal therapy is mirror therapy (MT).

Recently, we showed that anodal tDCS can induce a selective short-lasting relief from PLP, and repeated applications of anodal tDCS induces long-lasting analgesic effects. These preliminary results show that tDCS may be a promising rehabilitative tool for the management of chronic PLP. This neurorehabilitation technique is commonly used in PLP, and is designed to modulate cortical mechanisms of pain by performing movements using the unaffected limb in front of a mirror. We propose to carry out a mechanistic, factorial, randomized controlled trial to evaluate a novel rehabilitation approach combining tDCS and MT in PLP patients. We aim to compare the brain changes before and after treatment in order to study the mechanisms underlying PLP.

Conditions

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Phantom Limb Pain Amputation, Traumatic

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

FACTORIAL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Active tDCS and Active Mirror Therapy

Subjects will receive 20 minutes of active tDCS, while receiving 15 minutes of active Mirror Therapy.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): active (Soterix ©)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Subjects will undergo tDCS stimulation. For both active and sham stimulation, we will use electrodes of 35cm\^2, at an intensity of 2mA on the primary motor cortex contralateral to the amputated leg. For active tDCS, the subject will undergo stimulation for 20 minutes.

Mirror Therapy: active

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Subjects will be asked to perform movements (15 minutes daily) using the unaffected limb while watching its mirrored reflection superimposed over the affected limb. During Mirror Therapy, subjects will be asked to consciously relate the movement observed in the mirror to their phantom limb and to keep their attention focused on the task. Instructions will be explained verbally, demonstrated by a therapist, and performed by the subject in front of the therapist.

Active tDCS and sham Mirror Therapy

Subjects will receive 20 minutes of active tDCS, while receiving 15 minutes of sham Mirror Therapy.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): active (Soterix ©)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Subjects will undergo tDCS stimulation. For both active and sham stimulation, we will use electrodes of 35cm\^2, at an intensity of 2mA on the primary motor cortex contralateral to the amputated leg. For active tDCS, the subject will undergo stimulation for 20 minutes.

Mirror Therapy: Sham

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Subjects will be asked to perform movements (15 minutes daily) using the unaffected limb while watching its mirrored reflection superimposed over the affected limb, only the mirror will be covered. During Mirror Therapy, subjects will be asked to consciously relate the movement observed in the mirror to their phantom limb and to keep their attention focused on the task. Instructions will be explained verbally, demonstrated by a therapist, and performed by the subject in front of the therapist. We will use the same all of these techniques as active Mirror Therapy only the mirror will be covered during all activities.

Sham tDCS and active Mirror Therapy

Subjects will receive 20 minutes of sham tDCS, while receiving 15 minutes of active Mirror Therapy.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Mirror Therapy: active

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Subjects will be asked to perform movements (15 minutes daily) using the unaffected limb while watching its mirrored reflection superimposed over the affected limb. During Mirror Therapy, subjects will be asked to consciously relate the movement observed in the mirror to their phantom limb and to keep their attention focused on the task. Instructions will be explained verbally, demonstrated by a therapist, and performed by the subject in front of the therapist.

transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): sham (Soterix ©)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Subjects will undergo tDCS stimulation. For both active and sham stimulation, we will use electrodes of 35cm\^2, at an intensity of 2mA on the primary motor cortex contralateral to the amputated leg. The subject will undergo stimulation for 20 minutes. This is the same parameters as the active one, except the current will be ramped up and then down again (for 30 seconds total) to simulate the feeling of active stimulation.

Sham tDCS and sham Mirrory Therapy

Subjects will receive 20 minutes of sham tDCS, while receiving 15 minutes of sham Mirror Therapy.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): sham (Soterix ©)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Subjects will undergo tDCS stimulation. For both active and sham stimulation, we will use electrodes of 35cm\^2, at an intensity of 2mA on the primary motor cortex contralateral to the amputated leg. The subject will undergo stimulation for 20 minutes. This is the same parameters as the active one, except the current will be ramped up and then down again (for 30 seconds total) to simulate the feeling of active stimulation.

Mirror Therapy: Sham

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Subjects will be asked to perform movements (15 minutes daily) using the unaffected limb while watching its mirrored reflection superimposed over the affected limb, only the mirror will be covered. During Mirror Therapy, subjects will be asked to consciously relate the movement observed in the mirror to their phantom limb and to keep their attention focused on the task. Instructions will be explained verbally, demonstrated by a therapist, and performed by the subject in front of the therapist. We will use the same all of these techniques as active Mirror Therapy only the mirror will be covered during all activities.

Interventions

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transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): active (Soterix ©)

Subjects will undergo tDCS stimulation. For both active and sham stimulation, we will use electrodes of 35cm\^2, at an intensity of 2mA on the primary motor cortex contralateral to the amputated leg. For active tDCS, the subject will undergo stimulation for 20 minutes.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Mirror Therapy: active

Subjects will be asked to perform movements (15 minutes daily) using the unaffected limb while watching its mirrored reflection superimposed over the affected limb. During Mirror Therapy, subjects will be asked to consciously relate the movement observed in the mirror to their phantom limb and to keep their attention focused on the task. Instructions will be explained verbally, demonstrated by a therapist, and performed by the subject in front of the therapist.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): sham (Soterix ©)

Subjects will undergo tDCS stimulation. For both active and sham stimulation, we will use electrodes of 35cm\^2, at an intensity of 2mA on the primary motor cortex contralateral to the amputated leg. The subject will undergo stimulation for 20 minutes. This is the same parameters as the active one, except the current will be ramped up and then down again (for 30 seconds total) to simulate the feeling of active stimulation.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Mirror Therapy: Sham

Subjects will be asked to perform movements (15 minutes daily) using the unaffected limb while watching its mirrored reflection superimposed over the affected limb, only the mirror will be covered. During Mirror Therapy, subjects will be asked to consciously relate the movement observed in the mirror to their phantom limb and to keep their attention focused on the task. Instructions will be explained verbally, demonstrated by a therapist, and performed by the subject in front of the therapist. We will use the same all of these techniques as active Mirror Therapy only the mirror will be covered during all activities.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Able to provide informed consent to participate in the study.
2. Subject is older than 18 years.
3. Unilateral lower limb amputation.
4. Traumatic amputation greater than 1 year ago.
5. Chronic PLP for at least 3 months previous to enrollment in the study, experienced regularly for at least once a week.
6. Average pain of at least 4 on a numeric rating scale in the previous week (NRS; ranging from 0 to 10).
7. If the subject is taking any medications, dosages must be stable for at least 2 weeks prior to the enrollment of the study.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Pregnancy or trying to become pregnant in the next 2 months.
2. History of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 6 months as self-reported.
3. Presence of the following contraindication to transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation

* Ferromagnetic metal in the head (e.g., plates or pins, bullets, shrapnel)
* Implanted neck or head electronic medical devices (e.g., cochlear implants, vagus nerve stimulator)
4. History of chronic pain previous to the amputation.
5. Head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for at least 30 min or pos-traumatic amnesia for greater than 24 hours, as self-reported
6. Unstable medical conditions (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes, uncompensated cardiac issues, heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
7. Uncontrolled Epilepsy or prior seizures within the last 1 year.
8. Suffering from severe depression (as defined by a score of \>30 in the Beck Depression Inventory).\*
9. History of unexplained fainting spells or loss of consciousness as self-reported during the last 2 years.
10. History of neurosurgery, as self-reported.
11. Mirror Therapy in the previous 3 months
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Felipe Fregni, MD, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Felipe Fregni, MD, PhD, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Locations

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Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Research Institute

Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status

IMREA HCFMUSP - Rede Lucy Montoro

São Paulo, , Brazil

Site Status

Countries

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United States Brazil

References

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

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2015P001065

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Identifier Source: org_study_id

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