Investigating the effectiveness of visual illusions in treating pain
Research type
Research Study
Full title
AN INTERVENTION TRIAL TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VISUAL ILLUSIONS IN MANIPULATING BODY PERCEPTION DISTURBANCES TO REDUCE CHRONIC PAIN AND IMPROVE MOVEMENT PERFORMANCE
IRAS ID
130202
Contact name
Jennifer/S Lewis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Research summary
This protocol describes an intervention trial to investigate the effectiveness of viewing visual illusions that alter the size and shape of the painful hand to provide pain relief for those with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Data generated from a recent pilot study has informed this protocol. It is envisaged that these findings will be clinically relevant and have the potential to translate into a clinical treatment approach.
CRPS is characterised by excruciating pain of unknown origin in a limb. Symptom onset is typically triggered by trauma (soft tissue or a fracture) yet the pain continues well after the injury has healed and extends up the limb far beyond the original injured site. Persistent pain is disproportionate in severity to the resolved trauma and there is no known cure. Pain is accompanied by limb colour and temperature changes in addition to abnormalities in sweating, swelling, skin, hair and nail growth. Altered perceptions of the affected bodily region are described by patients as being distorted in shape and size and different from objective assessment.
UK incidence is approximately 16,000 per year equating to one in 60 of the UK population developing CRPS during their lifetime. Up to 26% of cases experience ongoing and unremitting symptoms causing long term disability and impacting on their ability to work and their general well being. These complex cases are resistive to conventional treatments.
Our recent pilot findings revealed that visual manipulation of the painful hands in CRPS patients provided pain relief. The proposed controlled study investigates the intervention effectiveness in a larger sample(n=88)on pain and other symptoms, in particular, movement performance. The optimum duration of the intervention to sustain these clinical effects will be determined.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0232
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion