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Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain with Combined EMG and Thermal Biofeedback: A Case Report

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Abstract

Phantom pain is a frequent consequence of the amputation of an extremity and causes considerable discomfort and disruption of daily activities. This study describes a patient with extreme phantom limb pain following amputation of the right upper limb. The treatment consisted of 6 sessions of EMG biofeedback followed by 6 sessions of temperature biofeedback. The patient did not use a prosthesis and had not received previous treatment for chronic pain. Results demonstrated complete elimination of phantom limb pain after treatment, which was maintained at a 3- and 12-month follow-up. Pain relief covaried with increase in skin temperature at stump and perceptual telescoping (retraction of phantom limb into stump).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Italy

    Giuliana Belleggia & Niels Birbaumer

  2. Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tuebingen, Germany

    Niels Birbaumer

  3. Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, via Venezia 8, 35100, Padova, Italy

    Niels Birbaumer

Authors
  1. Giuliana Belleggia
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  2. Niels Birbaumer
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Correspondence to Niels Birbaumer.

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Belleggia, G., Birbaumer, N. Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain with Combined EMG and Thermal Biofeedback: A Case Report. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 26, 141–146 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011391223713

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011391223713

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