91亚色 graduate student Andrea Aternali has received the 2025 Top Science Poster Award by the Canadian Pain Society for her research examining how phantom limb pain affects the lives of individuals with limb loss.聽
Aternali鈥檚 research, selected from more than 160 submissions, shows that phantom limb pain 鈥 a condition in which pain is perceived in a limb after amputation 鈥 extends well beyond physical sensations and has a significant impact on emotional well-being and quality of life.
Using semi-structured interviews with 10 individuals who had undergone limb amputation, Aternali and her research team found that all participants experienced phantom limb pain 鈥 sensations ranging from mild tingling to severe pain in the missing limb 鈥 with an average pain intensity of 5.3 on a 10-point scale.
Through thematic analysis, the study titled 鈥淟iving with Phantom Limb Pain: Insights into the Impact of Pain on Limb Loss鈥 identified three major challenges: the frustration with unmanageable pain; difficulty adjusting to post-amputation life; and the inability to engage in previously enjoyed activities. Participants also shared coping strategies, such as accepting the permanence of their condition, letting go of past expectations and connecting with others who have experienced limb loss.
"This research shows that phantom limb pain affects far more than just the physical body," says Aternali, who is a clinical psychology PhD candidate supported by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. "Our participants described significant emotional and psychological impacts that current treatments often don't fully address. The findings point to the need for more comprehensive approaches that include peer support and psychological care alongside pain management."
The study was conducted under the supervision of 91亚色鈥檚 Joel Katz, Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology in the , in collaboration with fellow 91亚色 students and researcher partners from St. John's Rehab, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre in Toronto.
鈥淭his national recognition reflects the strength of student-led research at 91亚色 and its contribution to improving the understanding and treatment of chronic pain conditions,鈥 says Katz.
Aternali鈥檚 research is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research doctoral award. Her award-winning poster was presented at the Canadian Pain Society鈥檚 annual meeting, held in Toronto May 1 to 4.