Project Sahelanthropus

The main objective of this thesis/creative project was to tackle the idea and condition of Phantom Pain Syndrome (PPS). Simply put, PPS is the feeling of pain in a limb that is no longer there due to an amputation of some sort. These phantom pains/sensations can include twisting, burning, pulling, and stabbing. This condition, while explored, seems to not have many research and therapies to holistically help the amputees effectively that may be struggling with it. Because of this lack of research and uniqueness of the condition, this thesis proposed a research assessment (a new questionnaire) with the goal to re-evaluate current PPS treatments and take deeper looks into the implications of PPS. It is the intent of this new questionnaire to spur further research on three aspects of PPS: physical, mental, and social. The main objective for the new questionnaire that this thesis proposed is to initiate a re-evaluation of current PPS treatments so that more holistic treatments and therapies can be instituted to help amputees that may be struggling with phantom pains/sensations. This re-evaluation and new treatments would ultimately help amputees with PPS regain their bearings in their life, not let the phantom pains control how they act/feel, and walk proudly again in society. This thesis and the proposed new questionnaire were donned the name Project Sahelanthropus because they both aim at helping amputees, regardless of which types of lost limbs, to stand proudly again in society (just as Sahelanthropus tchadensis is believed to be the earliest known hominid to proudly walk bi-pedal or upright compared to other hominids). This thesis is the culmination of five different works: a literature review analyzing current PPS treatments, a literature review analyzing credible questionnaires, a created informed consent form, the proposed new questionnaire, and finally the research proposal itself.