Letter to the Editor: the application of transcranial direct current stimulation on phantom phenomena

Authors

  • Graziella Orrù Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8769-7693
  • Valentina Cesari Departmental Section of Clinical Psychology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa
  • Martina Baroni Departmental Section of Clinical Psychology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa
  • Ciro Conversano Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa
  • Rebecca Ciacchini Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa
  • Danilo Menicucci Departmental Section of Clinical Psychology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa
  • Angelo Gemignani Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/2282-1619/mjcp-2382

Keywords:

Transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS- Amputation, Phantom limb phenomena, Phantom limb, Phantom limb pain.

Abstract

Phantom limb phenomena are often reported by patients after the amputation or deafferentation of limbs. The most debilitating condition is named phantom limb pain and, to present, an efficacious treatment is not been identify, yet. However, alternative non-invasive treatments such as transcranial direct current stimulation could be a valid approach in order to modulate pain. Based on the studies considered, tDCS might represent a potential novel tool able to reduce phantom limb symptoms. Due to the limited number of investigations, the positive outcomes summarized in this letter to editor need to be interpreted with caution.

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Published

20-04-2020

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Letters to the Editor

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