Designing for Phantom Limb Syndrome in Amputees: Augmented Reality as a Tool to Restore Body Representation and Reduce Phantom Pain

Phantom limb syndrome (PLS), characterized by the perception of a missing limb often accompanied by pain, remains a significant yet under addressed challenge in prosthetic rehabilitation. It arises primarily from disruptions in internal body representation and maladaptive neuroplasticity following amputation. The PHANTOMAR project, conducted at the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI), investigates the underlying mechanisms of phantom limb pain (PLP) and proposes an augmented reality (AR)-based intervention to restore body representation and improve functional outcomes. The study is structured in three phases: (1) quantitative and qualitative assessment of sensorimotor control and movement patterns under the influence of phantom pain, (2) development of an AR-based body representation tool to reconstruct internal limb perception, and (3) integration of haptic and force feedback through virtual and augmented environments to enhance sensorimotor coherence. Validation is performed using a functional prosthetic leg prototype with prior clinical data. The results demonstrate that AR-mediated embodiment significantly improves motor planning, reduces pain perception, and enhances rehabilitation engagement. The findings highlight the potential of immersive technologies as clinically relevant tools for treating phantom limb pain and advancing prosthetic design.