Acupuncture for the treatment of phantom limb pain in lower limb amputees: study protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Phantom limb pain is a prevalent condition that is difficult to manage, with a lack of robust evidence to support the use of many adjunctive treatments. Acupuncture can be effective in the management of many painful conditions but little is known about its effectiveness in treating phantom limb pain. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture and routine care in a group of lower limb amputees with phantom limb pain.

Methods/design

An unstratified, pragmatic, randomized, two-armed, controlled trial of parallel design comparing acupuncture and usual care control will be conducted. A total of 20 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either usual care or usual care plus acupuncture.

SUBMITTER: Trevelyan EG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4405855 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature