In both they took the remaining four main nerves that had connected to the hands and transferred them to different areas of the chest, attaching them into the chest muscles.
In BSD, this took place nine months after the injury. Five months later, the report said, when touched on the chest he began registering sensations from the phantom limb.
Depending on the location and the strength of the pressure put on the chest, BSD registered feelings on the palm or backside of the missing hand.
In STH, the transfer of the nerves was made 15 months after her accident. Four months later, she was registering feelings from the lost hand and wrist from the nerves moved to her chest.
The scientists say their results did not show a full recovery of sensation in all four of the nerves, noting there may be limits to a patient's spatial perceptions and ability to handle complex sensations.
