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Sensory qualities of the phantom hand map in the residual forearm of amputees

Björkman, Anders LU ; Wijk, Ulrika LU orcid ; Antfolk, Christian LU ; Björkman-Burtscher, Isabella LU and Rosén, Birgitta LU (2016) In Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 48(4). p.70-365
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Most amputees experience referred sensations, known as a phantom hand map, on the residual forearm, where touch on specific areas is perceived as touch on the amputated hand. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory qualities of the phantom hand map.

METHODS: In 10 traumatic forearm-amputees touch thres-holds and discriminative touch of the phantom hand map were assessed and compared with corresponding areas on the contralateral forearm. The study assessed the localization of touch on the phantom hand map, and how distinct and similar to normal touch the referred feeling was.

RESULTS: Similar touch thresholds were seen in the phantom hand map and the control site. Tactile discrimination, requiring both... (More)

OBJECTIVE: Most amputees experience referred sensations, known as a phantom hand map, on the residual forearm, where touch on specific areas is perceived as touch on the amputated hand. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory qualities of the phantom hand map.

METHODS: In 10 traumatic forearm-amputees touch thres-holds and discriminative touch of the phantom hand map were assessed and compared with corresponding areas on the contralateral forearm. The study assessed the localization of touch on the phantom hand map, and how distinct and similar to normal touch the referred feeling was.

RESULTS: Similar touch thresholds were seen in the phantom hand map and the control site. Tactile discrimination, requiring both detection of stimulus and interpretation, was significantly better in the phantom hand map.

CONCLUSION: This explorative study suggests that the phantom hand map and the superior tactile discrimination seen in the phantom hand map are based on adaptations within the brain. Further studies investigating the neural basis for the phantom hand map are needed.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
volume
48
issue
4
pages
6 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • wos:000372456100007
  • scopus:84962267821
  • pmid:26999267
ISSN
1651-2081
DOI
10.2340/16501977-2074
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3f79adcb-926e-4f02-9312-7316e913ab98
date added to LUP
2016-04-13 13:36:32
date last changed
2025-01-23 02:16:20
@article{3f79adcb-926e-4f02-9312-7316e913ab98,
  abstract     = {{<p>OBJECTIVE: Most amputees experience referred sensations, known as a phantom hand map, on the residual forearm, where touch on specific areas is perceived as touch on the amputated hand. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory qualities of the phantom hand map.</p><p>METHODS: In 10 traumatic forearm-amputees touch thres-holds and discriminative touch of the phantom hand map were assessed and compared with corresponding areas on the contralateral forearm. The study assessed the localization of touch on the phantom hand map, and how distinct and similar to normal touch the referred feeling was.</p><p>RESULTS: Similar touch thresholds were seen in the phantom hand map and the control site. Tactile discrimination, requiring both detection of stimulus and interpretation, was significantly better in the phantom hand map.</p><p>CONCLUSION: This explorative study suggests that the phantom hand map and the superior tactile discrimination seen in the phantom hand map are based on adaptations within the brain. Further studies investigating the neural basis for the phantom hand map are needed.</p>}},
  author       = {{Björkman, Anders and Wijk, Ulrika and Antfolk, Christian and Björkman-Burtscher, Isabella and Rosén, Birgitta}},
  issn         = {{1651-2081}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{70--365}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine}},
  title        = {{Sensory qualities of the phantom hand map in the residual forearm of amputees}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/16501977-2074}},
  doi          = {{10.2340/16501977-2074}},
  volume       = {{48}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}