Symptoms of PTSD Associated With Painful and Nonpainful Vicarious Reactivity Following Amputation.

Although the experience of vicarious sensations when observing another in pain have been described postamputation, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We investigated whether vicarious sensations are related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and chronic pain. In Study 1, 236 amputees completed questionnaires about phantom limb phenomena and vicarious sensations to both innocuous and painful sensory experiences of others.

Mechanisms of traumatic brain injury.

The authors describe the mechanisms of traumatic brain injury (TBI), examining in depth the characteristics of closed head, penetrating, and blast-related TBI. Events on a structural as well as cellular level are reviewed. Blast-related brain injury, in particular, affects military service members preferentially, but is also relevant in cases of industrial accidents as well as terrorist events.

Observation of limb movements reduces phantom limb pain in bilateral amputees.

Background: Mirror therapy has been demonstrated to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP) experienced by unilateral limb amputees. Research suggests that the visual feedback of observing a limb moving in the mirror is critical for therapeutic efficacy.

Objective: Since mirror therapy is not an option for bilateral lower limb amputees, the purpose of this study was to determine if direct observation of another person's limbs could be used to relieve PLP.