Long-term Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Patients With Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)

Long-Term Treatment of Patients Experiencing Phantom Limb Pain With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

• Phantom limb pain (PLP) refers to pain in a limb that has been amputated or deafferented. Phantom limb pain might be related to brain cortical plastic changes.
• The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a series of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) sessions, a non-invasive and focal brain stimulation method, in producing long-term reduction of phantom limb pain among amputees who experience such pain.

This is a Crossover sham control.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 to 80
• Limb amputation from at least 6 months before study enrollment
• Presence of PLP at least 2 times a week and present 4 weeks prior to onset of study
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Coexistence of major neurological or psychiatric diseases
• Being actively enrolled in a separate study targeting pain relief
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed patients
• Any contraindication to noninvasive brain stimulation such as past brain surgery, brain implants, cochlear implant, epilepsy or any past seizure
• Pregnant women
• Within the traumatic amputees group - subjects diagnosed with diabetes