Acupuncture in the treatment of Phantom Limb Syndrome. Version: 01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An evaluation of the acceptability of acupuncture as an intervention for phantom limb syndrome in lower limb amputees; a qualitative study.
IRAS ID
136298
Contact name
Nicola Robinson
Contact email
Research summary
Approximately 5-6000 major limb amputations are carried out in the UK every year. People with diabetes are particularly at risk and are 15 times more likely to require amputation than the general population. With rising numbers of people with diabetes in the population amputations are also on the rise. One complication of amputation is phantom limb syndrome. Many surveys report the incidence of phantom limb syndrome is between 60-80%, it can be present for many years post amputation and is difficult to manage with conventional medicine.
This study is nested within a planned larger study evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of phantom limb syndrome. Data from this study will guide the development of a protocol for the feasibility study. Once data has been collected from this phase of the study and a protocol devised, REC approval for the feasibility study will be applied for.
This study will be conducted at the Amputee Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) at Lambeth Community Care Centre, London. The study will evaluate lower limb amputee's views on the acceptability of receiving acupuncture for the treatment of phantom limb syndrome and establish what amputees consider important when measuring their experience of phantom limb syndrome.
Methodology will involve one off, cross-sectional semi – structured interviews with 15 participants with current or past phantom limb syndrome. Interviews will be analysed using framework analysis. It is anticipated that data collection for the study should take approximately 6 months.REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1409
Date of REC Opinion
7 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion