Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on supernumerary phantom limb pain in spinal cord injured patient: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Supernumerary phantom limb (SPL) sensation is the experience of additional limbs, either single or a pair of limbs. Unique to traumatic spinal cord injuries, we report effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on SPL pain in a patient with cervical cord injury.

CASE SUMMARY

The subject was a 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with complete spinal cord injury (C6/C5, motor level; C5/C5, sensory level; AIS-A) approximately three months ago. After a period of 2 wk, we administered anodal tDCS over the motor cortex for 15 minutes at an intensity of 1.5 mA. Following that treatment, the patient experienced a decrease of SPL pain intensity and frequency, which lasted for 1 week after the end of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Targeting the motor cortex through neuromodulation appears to be a promising option for the management of SPL pain.

Keywords: Supernumerary phantom limb pain; Spinal cord injury; transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Neuromodulation; Case report

Core tip: Supernumerary phantom limb (SPL) sensation is the experience of additional limbs, either a single or a pair of limbs. SPL after a traumatic spinal cord injury is extremely rare and SPL pain is unique. Regarding SPL pain, there is no established standard treatment yet. We administered anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the motor cortex for 15 min at an intensity of 1.5 mA. After the management, the patient experienced a decrease in SPL pain intensity and frequency. Targeting the motor cortex through neuromodulation appears to be a promising option for the management of supernumerary phantom limb pain.