Acupuncture for the treatment of phantom limb syndrome in lower limb amputees: a randomised controlled feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Post amputation, the complication of phantom limb pain (PLP) is prevalent and difficult to manage. This study aimed to determine whether it was feasible and acceptable to undertake a definitive multicentred randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating lower limb amputees with PLP.

Methods

A mixed-methods embedded design, including a randomised controlled trial and semistructured interviews, was undertaken. A total of 15 participants with PLP were randomly assigned to receive either eight pragmatic Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture treatments and usual care or usual care alone over 4 weeks. Outcome measures were completed at baseline, weekly throughout the study and at 1 month post completion of the study and included:

SUBMITTER: Trevelyan EG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5080724 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature