neuromotus

Neuromotus

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-BeingSDG 10: Reduced inequalities
  • Original Title: Neuromotus – A novel treatment for Phantom Limb Pain
  • Year: 2014
  • Award: WSA European Young Innovators
  • Category: European Young Innovators
  • Producer: Max Ortiz Catalán, Rannveig Asa Gudmundsdottir, Alejandra Zepeda Echavarria, Morten Bak Kristoffersen
  • Organisation: Neuromotus
  • Country: Sweden
  • URL: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/10.3389/fnins.2014.00024/abstract

The goal of Neuromotus is to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP), a painful condition affecting 70% of amputees, so as to improve these patients’ quality of life. Traditionally, mirror box therapy and other tools based on the same concept, have been used to alleviate pain, but their efficacy varies greatly. This project targets amputees for whom other PLP treatments have failed. Various virtual environments, including virtual/augmented reality, are controlled by the patient’s phantom limb using muscle (myoelectric) signals from the stump. The patient learns to reactivates areas in the brain related to motor control of the missing limb. First results indicate that this treatment works and clinical trials are following up. A version for home use is being tested.

Ultimately, Neuromotus aims to enable participation in society for amputees on equal terms with non-amputees.

 

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