A Placebo-Controlled Study of Far Infrared Ray Applied to 'Phantom Limb'

摘要

This report describes a placebo-controlled study of far infrared ray (FIR) applied to a below-knee amputee. We discovered that the phantom limb sensation could be induced with the phantom limb site exposed to FIR. Following an appropriate period of FIR on the absent limb, the amputee was able to perceive warm sensation for his phantom limb, a sensation much weaker than that with his normal leg exposed to FIR. This finding has been tested by a series of placebo-controlled experiments, indicating that the absent limb play an important role in perceiving the warm sensation and is in close connection with the phantom limb sensation. Although the underlying mechanism of this connection remains to be elucidated, the treatment based on our findings for the phantom limb pain relief has showed significant success.