Electroconvulsive therapy for phantom limb pain

Pain. 2000 Mar;85(1-2):297-9. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3959(99)00288-2.

Abstract

Phantom limb pain is common in amputees. Although several treatments are available, a significant number of patients are refractory. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is usually given to patients with psychiatric disorders such as major depression, has shown efficacy in patients with a variety of pain syndromes occurring along with depression. Two patients are described herein with severe phantom limb pain refractory to multiple therapies, without concurrent psychiatric disorder, who received ECT. Both patients enjoyed substantial pain relief. In one case, phantom pain was still in remission 3.5 years after ECT. It is concluded that phantom limb patients who are refractory to multiple therapies may respond to ECT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Arm / physiology
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Leg / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phantom Limb / therapy*