Home-based Rehabilitation Intervention for Phantom Limb Pain in Veterans With Lower Limb Amputations

Background: Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) is a form of unpredictable neuropathic pain in Veterans with amputation. Current non-medication treatments for PLP are limited and more interventions are needed that take into consideration the unique needs of the Veteran population. PLP significantly impairs rehabilitation outcomes and community participation. One non-medication intervention is graded motor imagery (GMI). GMI consists of sequentially progressing from limb laterality training, to motor imagery, and then mirror therapy (i.e., observing movement using the visual illusion of an intact limb in a mirror). Although clinicians report benefit from use of the technique, barriers exist to supporting at-home use of the intervention.

Research Questions (Objectives) - This VA Career Development Award-2 proposal focuses on refining a mobile app for GMI (VA-GMI) (Aim 1) and then pilot testing serial sessions of mobile app use in a sample of Veterans with lower limb amputation and moderate to severe PLP in their home setting (Aim 2).

Relevance to VA - There is a growing population of Veterans with amputation in the VA system. Many of whom will experience amputation pain, like phantom limb pain, and other amputation-related experiences. There are currently limited non-drug treatment options for phantom limb pain. Graded Motor Imagery could be one tool as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for phantom limb pain. With the support of the expert mentor team in place, this work will incorporate Veteran input into the design of a novel intervention with high translational value. This work will lead to future investigations of optimized GMI intervention for the reduction of PLP in Veterans with amputations.

Number of Research Participants (Sample Size) - For Aim 1 that involves refining the mobile app, the investigators will recruit 12 Veterans. For Aim 2 that involves the clinical trial, the investigators will recruit 36 Veterans with unilateral below knee amputation to participate in the pilot testing of serial sessions.

Participating Sites - Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Duration of Participant Intake (Study Duration) - This project is projected to occur over 5 years. This project will begin with a 1 year refinement of the investigators' Graded Motor Imagery mobile app with 12 Veterans with amputation and moderate to severe PLP. In years 2-5, the investigators will conduct a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention with 36 Veterans with amputation and moderate to severe PLP. The investigators will conduct this study virtually with all Veterans in their home environment. All Veterans will receive twelve intervention sessions. Recruitment will conclude with 6-months remaining in the study timeline, which will be used for the dissemination of results and closure of the project.

Treatment (follow-up) - The Veterans in the pilot study will have 12 sessions of Graded Motor Imagery using the mobile app. The investigators will then follow Veterans for 3 and 6 month follow ups to learn more about their perspective of the Graded Motor Imagery mobile app.

Endpoints - The primary outcomes for this study are acceptability (Acceptability of Intervention Measure) and secondary measures of health outcomes, specifically pain interference (Amputation Related Pain and Experiences).

Qualitative Data - In addition to measuring acceptability and pain interference, the investigators will conduct semi-structured interviews with participants to develop further understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of Graded Motor Imagery in the home setting, using the mobile app.

Inclusion criteria

• Must be a military Veteran
• At least 18 years old;
• >1 year since unilateral below knee amputation;
• Moderate or severe (NRS score 4 on a 0-10 scale) PLP;
• Stable medications over the past 2 weeks;
• Willing and able to give informed consent; and
• Able to participate in the telehealth study activities with a personal device.

Exclusion criteria

• Unstable medical conditions (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, heart failure exacerbation);
• Unstable mental illness or substance use disorder (e.g., active suicidality or psychosis); and
• Unable to give informed consent due to a cognitive impairment.
• Fibromyalgia or complex regional pain syndrome-like symptoms