Melita Guimmarra - Experimental Neuropsychology Research Unit

Melita Giummarra is a PhD candidate studying the perception of phantom limbs. In particular her research explores the natural history phantom limb phenomena, investigating the role of brain systems (e.g., mirror neuron systems) in phantom limb sensations and pain. She has studied a large cohort of upper and lower limb amputees using questionnaire and interview design, and upper limb amputees in empirical studies. Her studies have revealed the interesting phenomenon of synaesthetic phantom pain (that is, the perception of phantom pain that is triggered by observing or thinking about another person in pain). Her empirical research uses rubber limb and mirror box paradigms to explore the perceived body space of the phantom limb, manipulating and inducing sensations in the phantom limb. In these studies she has found that phantom sensations can be induced in non-amputees, and that similar sensations can be created in the phantom limb in amputees.