Article

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.

Langue : ANGLAIS