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Virtual Reality for Phantom Limb Pain

This study, called "Immersive Healing: The Therapeutic Potential of Virtual Reality," is looking into whether virtual reality (VR) therapy can help people with phantom limb pain (PLP). PLP is a common issue for individuals who have had a major limb amputation, causing significant discomfort and affecting their daily lives. The study aims to understand if 30-minute VR therapy sessions, given twice a week for six weeks in an office setting, can reduce pain levels. You might be able to join if you are over 18, have had a major limb amputation, and experience phantom limb pain or negative phantom sensations. The main goal is to see how your pain levels change using a survey called the Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) at the beginning, after one week, and after two weeks.

Study design
This study plans to enroll 20 participants. It compares a group receiving virtual reality therapy to a control group that completes surveys.
What's involved
If you join the virtual reality group, you would have 6 sessions of 30-minute VR therapy in the office, twice a week. Both groups will complete surveys weekly for 6 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain levels will be measured at the start of the study, at Week 1, and at Week 2.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06077227

Immersive Healing: The Therapeutic Potential of Virtual Reality

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
~20 participants
Updated 2026-07-31 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:virtual reality therapymatched control group

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Phantom limb pain levels using Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)
Measured over Baseline
+4 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)

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NCT06077227

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • OrthoCarolina Hand Center

    Charlotte, North Carolinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Glenn Gaston, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute

Who to contact

Joshua Steinke
[email protected]
704-942-4351
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

History of major limb amputation
Age \> 18 years old
Presence of phantom limb pain or negative phantom sensation(s)

Exclusion

Active mental illness, neurological disease, or cognitive impairment that would interfere with survey completion
Those without phantom limb pain or negative phantom limb sensations
Non-English speaking

What this trial measures

  • Phantom limb pain levels using Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)Baseline

    Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire - The maximum score an individual can reach on the MPQ is 78. According to the questionnaire, a person with a score of 0 effectively does not experience pain. A person with a high score, nearer to the highest score of 78, more than likely deals with chronic pain daily.

  • Phantom limb pain levels using Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)Week 1

    Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire - The maximum score an individual can reach on the MPQ is 78. According to the questionnaire, a person with a score of 0 effectively does not experience pain. A person with a high score, nearer to the highest score of 78, more than likely deals with chronic pain daily.

  • Phantom limb pain levels using Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)Week 2

    Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire - The maximum score an individual can reach on the MPQ is 78. According to the questionnaire, a person with a score of 0 effectively does not experience pain. A person with a high score, nearer to the highest score of 78, more than likely deals with chronic pain daily.

  • Phantom limb pain levels using Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)Week 3

    Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire - The maximum score an individual can reach on the MPQ is 78. According to the questionnaire, a person with a score of 0 effectively does not experience pain. A person with a high score, nearer to the highest score of 78, more than likely deals with chronic pain daily.

  • Phantom limb pain levels using Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)Week 6

    Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire - The maximum score an individual can reach on the MPQ is 78. According to the questionnaire, a person with a score of 0 effectively does not experience pain. A person with a high score, nearer to the highest score of 78, more than likely deals with chronic pain daily.