Abstract
Phantom limb pain (PLP) represents a major post-amputation complication, exerting substantial effects on neural processing, rehabilitation, and quality of life in amputees. This review explores the neurological mechanisms behind PLP and the clinical implications of neuro-prosthetics. Paper 1 provided a case study utilizing several questionnaires to draw a negative link between extreme perceptions of PLP and mental health. Paper 2 reported the correlation between PLP and cortical rewiring. Functional MRI (fMRI) data from 30 amputees showed post-amputation reorganization of neuronal signaling in several brain regions: the somatosensory cortex, caudate nucleus, bilateral insula, and anterior cingulate cortex. The brain’s adjustment to amputation results in aberrant pain signaling. Questionnaire surveys linked PLP to declines in emotional and social roles. Paper 3 demonstrated bionics as a potential treatment for PLP. Physiological and psychological assessments of two participants with osseointegrated mechanoneural prosthetics (OMP) through electromyography and questionnaires indicated better sensation, control, and embodiment compared to 14 non-bionic prosthetic users. Overall, this review analyzes how PLP connects to brain reorganization, affecting both physical and mental well-being. Targeting the brain-prosthetics connection may treat PLP and mobility. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between cortical reorganization and PLP, and on the potential co-prescription of bionic therapies with pharmaceutical and psychobehavioral therapies.
Recommended Citation
Chu, Leo; Johnson, Falisha; and Alam, Noorjhan
(2026)
"A Neurological Perspective of Phantom Limb Pain and Potential Treatment Through Bionic Prosthetics,"
Locus: The Seton Hall Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 9, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70531/2573-2749.1087
Available at:
https://scholarship.shu.edu/locus/vol9/iss1/3