Nncsincorporation of another person's limb into body image relieves phantom limb pain: A case study

Sharon R. Weeks; Jack W. Tsao

doi:10.1080/13554791003730592

Nncsincorporation of another person's limb into body image relieves phantom limb pain: A case study

Sharon R. Weeks, Jack W. Tsao

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Phantom limb phenomena are well characterized, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report a patient who relieves his phantom sensations and pain, experienced as itching and cramping, through scratching or massaging his prosthesis or the leg of another person. This pain relief occurs only when phantom limb sensations are present. We hypothesize that symptom relief results from incorporation of the foreign limb into the patient's body image, mediated by the sensory mirror neuron system, relieving pain by restoring concordance between sensory systems.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	461-465
Number of pages	5
Journal	Neurocase
Volume	16
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/13554791003730592
State	Published - Dec 2010
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Amputation
Body image
Observation
Phantom limb pain
Sensory mirror neurons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Clinical Neurology

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10.1080/13554791003730592

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title = "Nncsincorporation of another person's limb into body image relieves phantom limb pain: A case study",

abstract = "Phantom limb phenomena are well characterized, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report a patient who relieves his phantom sensations and pain, experienced as itching and cramping, through scratching or massaging his prosthesis or the leg of another person. This pain relief occurs only when phantom limb sensations are present. We hypothesize that symptom relief results from incorporation of the foreign limb into the patient's body image, mediated by the sensory mirror neuron system, relieving pain by restoring concordance between sensory systems.",

keywords = "Amputation, Body image, Observation, Phantom limb pain, Sensory mirror neurons",

author = "Weeks, {Sharon R.} and Tsao, {Jack W.}",

note = "Funding Information: We are thankful to Mr Joseph Yetto, Ms Victoria Anderson-Barnes, and Ms Caitlin McAuliffe for their thoughtful comments on the manuscript. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the United States Government. Support was received from the Military Amputee Research Program.",

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AU - Tsao, Jack W.

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PY - 2010/12

Y1 - 2010/12

N2 - Phantom limb phenomena are well characterized, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report a patient who relieves his phantom sensations and pain, experienced as itching and cramping, through scratching or massaging his prosthesis or the leg of another person. This pain relief occurs only when phantom limb sensations are present. We hypothesize that symptom relief results from incorporation of the foreign limb into the patient's body image, mediated by the sensory mirror neuron system, relieving pain by restoring concordance between sensory systems.

AB - Phantom limb phenomena are well characterized, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report a patient who relieves his phantom sensations and pain, experienced as itching and cramping, through scratching or massaging his prosthesis or the leg of another person. This pain relief occurs only when phantom limb sensations are present. We hypothesize that symptom relief results from incorporation of the foreign limb into the patient's body image, mediated by the sensory mirror neuron system, relieving pain by restoring concordance between sensory systems.

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KW - Observation

KW - Phantom limb pain

KW - Sensory mirror neurons

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Nncsincorporation of another person's limb into body image relieves phantom limb pain: A case study

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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