Could a headset zap away phantom limb pain at home?
NCT ID NCT05188183
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a portable brain stimulation device, used at home along with sensory training, can reduce phantom limb pain in amputees. About 290 participants will either receive the active treatment or continue their usual care. The goal is to see if this approach works in real-world settings and to use machine learning to identify who benefits most.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device and somatosensory training
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a convenient, at-home way to reduce phantom limb pain for many amputees.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage pragmatic trial, so results may not show clear benefit. The treatment requires daily sessions, and some people may not respond.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Spaulding Hospital Cambridge
RECRUITINGCambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Spinal Add-On may ease phantom pain after amputation
- Botox shot may silence stubborn nerve pain in amputees
- Battlefield injuries: new study seeks to predict chronic pain before it starts
- Brain implant that turns on only when pain strikes shows promise
- New study seeks to uncover hidden pain in child amputees
- Can VR ease phantom limb pain after amputation?