Does use of a myoelectric prosthesis prevent cortical reorganization and phantom limb pain?

Injury, stimulation or training can induce changes in the homuncular organization of primary somatosensory (S1) and motor cortex (M1). Phantom limb pain was identified as a perceptual correlate of this cortical reorganization. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we found that enhanced use of a myoelectric prosthesis in upper extremity amputees was associated with reduced phantom limb pain and reduced cortical reorganization. Extensive use of a myoelectric prosthesis might have beneficial effects on phantom limb pain.