Virtual Reality (VR) technology helps give the illusion that a patient’s limb is still there even though it has been amputated. The world that they are immersed in shows them with two limbs, where the limb stump controls the virtual arm or leg. | "She felt that the fingers of her amputated hand were continually clenched in her palm, which was very painful for her." | | Dr Craig Murray, University of Manchester |
These VR arms or legs can be moved easily as they would be normally. Patients can even play computer ball games with them through the futuristic headsets that they wear during the treatment. The research came about due to the problems caused by Phantom Limb Pain (PLP), which is the discomfort felt in a limb that is missing. Patients with upper limbs amputated wear 'data gloves' with sensors attached to the elbow and wrist joints, while sensors were attached to the knee and ankle joints of lower limb amputees. Instant improvement Of the five patients who have used the system so far, over several weeks in a small-scale study, four of them have reported an improvement and these findings have since been relayed to a Danish conference about the use of VR in rehabilitation.
 | | Peter King of Wilmslow using the system |
Project leader Dr Craig Murray explained how the project came about: "Many [amputees] experience a phantom limb [which] are often painful and can persist for many years. They are very difficult to treat," he said. But Dr Murray cited one particular patient whose condition had improved after only one 30 minute session using the technology. "She felt that the fingers of her amputated hand were continually clenched in her palm, which was very painful for her. She began to feel movement in her fingers and the pain began to ease after one session." Working in conjunction with Dr Murray, Dr Stephen Pettifer of the School of Computer Science explained how VR can be used for a variety of purposes as well as bolstering special effects in films: "It’s very satisfying, being able to apply the same technology to something that may have a positive impact on someone’s health and well-being," he said. | 
