Acupuncture for the Treatment of Phantom Limb Syndrome
Phantom Limb Syndrome
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Phantom Limb Syndrome focused on measuring phantom limb pain, phantom limb sensation, acupuncture, randomised controlled trial
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
18 years of age or above, full cognitive ability and able to communicate in English, able to provide informed consent and written informed consent obtained, current inpatients at the ARU (at time of enrolment), traumatic or medical amputation of a lower limb (greater than toes), currently experiencing phantom limb syndrome (with a verbal rating score of >4/10) in a lower limb.
Exclusion Criteria:
Less than 18 years of age, poorly controlled epilepsy, severe haemophilia or other bleeding / clotting disorders, pacemaker (if using electro-acupuncture), undergoing or recently undergone chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant, cognitive impairment and / or unable to give consent or communicate in English, medically unwell or severe other health complications (as advised by the medical consultant in charge of the participant), congenital limb absence, pregnancy, any skin changes or removal of lymph nodes on the body, ear or scalp that would preclude placement of acupuncture needles, needle phobia
Sites / Locations
- GSTFT Amputee Rehabilitation Unit, Lambeth Community Care Centre, Monkton Street
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Other
Acupuncture
Usual care
Eight treatments of acupuncture will be given to participants twice weekly over four weeks. A combination of body and auricular acupuncture will be given and treatment will be pragmatic. In addition the group will receive usual care (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical intervention and any other intervention as deemed appropriate by clinical staff).
The group will receive usual care (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical intervention and any other intervention as deemed appropriate by clinical staff).