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Does use of a myoelectric prosthesis prevent cortical reorganization and phantom limb pain?

Nature Neuroscience volume 2, pages 501–502 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

Injury, stimulation or training can induce changes in the homuncular organization of primary somatosensory (S1) and motor cortex (M1)1,2,3,4,5,6. Phantom limb pain was identified as a perceptual correlate of this cortical reorganization2,7. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we found that enhanced use of a myoelectric prosthesis in upper extremity amputees was associated with reduced phantom limb pain and reduced cortical reorganization. Extensive use of a myoelectric prosthesis might have beneficial effects on phantom limb pain.

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Figure 1: Procedure used to determine fMRI displacement in M1 and S1.
Figure 2: Lip representation in controls and upper limb amputated patients.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by BMBF, DFG and the Volkswagen-Stiftung.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroradiology, Section Experimental NMR of the CNS, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, Tübingen, D-72076, Germany

    M. Lotze, W. Grodd & M. Erb

  2. Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Gartenstraβe 29, Tübingen, D-72074, Germany

    M. Lotze, N. Birbaumer & E. Huse

  3. Dipartimento di Psicologia, University of Padova, Italy

    N. Birbaumer

  4. Department of Psychology, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany

    H. Flor

Authors
  1. M. Lotze
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  2. W. Grodd
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  3. N. Birbaumer
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  4. M. Erb
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  5. E. Huse
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  6. H. Flor
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Correspondence to M. Lotze.

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Lotze, M., Grodd, W., Birbaumer, N. et al. Does use of a myoelectric prosthesis prevent cortical reorganization and phantom limb pain?. Nat Neurosci 2, 501–502 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/9145

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