Study Title:
PHANTOM LIMB PAIN KETAMINE TREATMENT STUDY
Study Location:
Bay Area, CA; Sacramento, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Milwaukee, WI
Research Objectives:
To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of intramuscular ketamine in reducing the intensity and frequency of phantom limb pain in adults, and to characterize dose–response patterns and durability of symptom relief over time in a multi-site, open-label proof-of-concept study.
Eligibility Criteria:
Eligible participants are adults ages 18–65 with active, recurrent phantom limb pain who have not previously received ketamine treatment for phantom limb pain and who are able to provide informed consent and participate in longitudinal follow-up. Participants must be medically stable, with acceptable vital signs, cardiac status, and baseline hepatic and renal function, and must be willing to comply with protocol requirements regarding medications and substance use. Individuals will be excluded if they have a history of psychotic disorders or bipolar mania, significant neurological or cardiovascular disease, abnormal laboratory or EKG findings, pregnancy or breastfeeding, current substance use disorder or positive urine drug screen for excluded substances, use of medications contraindicated with ketamine, or any prior or non-protocol ketamine use.
Compensation Details:
Participants will not receive financial compensation for study participation. Study-related ketamine treatment sessions, clinical monitoring, and follow-up assessments are provided as part of the research protocol at no cost to participants.
Enrollment Closes:
Dec 31, 2026
Time Commitment:
Participants will complete an intake and baseline assessment followed by a minimum of two in-clinic ketamine treatment sessions, each lasting approximately 2–3 hours including monitoring and recovery. Depending on clinical response, participants may receive additional treatment sessions (up to a defined maximum over the six-month treatment period). Follow-up includes frequent check-ins by phone, video, or email—weekly during the active study period—with brief assessments, as well as longer-term follow-up assessments at six months and approximately twelve months.
Contact Person:
Phil Wolfson, MD; email: ketamine.research@gmail.com
How to Participate:
Individuals interested in participating may enroll by contacting the study team via the designated email address listed on recruitment materials. Prospective participants will complete an initial screening and, if eligible, will be scheduled for an informed consent and intake assessment at a participating study site.