VR and phantom limb pain

Freaking cool!

Scientists are helping amputees to experience their lost limbs once again. Using 3D computer graphics and a virtual reality headset, the lost limb can be 'restored'. What might at first sound like a tasteless Lawnmower Man sequel is claimed to be an extremely promising therapy for patients struggling to come to terms with amputation.

The machine is designed to combat phantom limb pain (PLP) -- a sensation of pain experienced by an amputee that appears to originate in the missing limb. Intriguingly, researchers have discovered that if a person's brain can be tricked into believing they can see and move a 'phantom limb', this motion reduces the perception of pain in PLP.