Sedegheh Malek Mohammadi

Orthotics and Prosthetics Research Clinic, Tehran, Iran

Abstract Title:Rehabilitation Schedule of Upper Limb Amputees with Phantom pain

Biography: I am faculty of orthotics and prosthetics. My experience in the area of research, teaching in University, clinical experiments ,measuring and designing /making orthosis & prosthesis is more than 26 years. I have done research in the area of plantar fascia qualities and its connection with the ankle and foot structure and function in living individual. I have experience of working with Ultrasound machine to design a methodology to identify each location of the plantar fascia along its length and its equivalent location in the opposite foot to quantify the amount of the vertical load (body weight) applied in static and locomotion.

Research Interest: It is accepted upper extremities are functional organs. After amputation, most of amputees feel phantom pain in amputated area. It is believed Myo_electric prosthesis can be substituted instead of upper extremities. The purpose of this research is to study the influence of using Myo_electric prosthesis on phantom pain intensity. In this research 50 subjects were studied. Data was collected via standard PEQ (Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire). Analysis was done by Spss software and statistical tests: 1) Pearson Correlation Coefficient, 2) Regression model, 3) Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) There was direct relation between phantom pain and (feeling pain in shoulder area, stump perspiration inside the socket, easy donning / doffing of prosthesis, using prosthesis easily in sitting position). There was reverse relation between phantom pain and (using prosthesis to don / doff clothes, stump contact with the inner wall of the socket). Amputee has to feel prosthesis is inseparable of his /her body. Full contacting, weight of prosthesis, direction and type of harness, especially in proximal level of amputated limb , external powers or waves can influence function of Myo_electric prosthesis. Rehabilitation, Upper limb amputee, Phantom Pain, Myo_electric prosthesis