From Perception to Participation: Rethinking Research on Phantom Vibration Syndrome through Citizen Science and Smartphone Technology

The phantom vibration syndrome (PVS), a pathology not fully understood, primarily garners attention from medical research. However, a better understanding would allow engineering implications also to emerge, particularly in tactile interface design. In this article, a novel approach utilising smartphones and citizen science is introduced as a new research avenue. A preliminary trial involving 22 volunteers demonstrated an approx. 70% prevalence of PVS, while also uncovering potential challenges in app development and validation. Despite these hurdles, smartphone apps potentially offer scalability and facilitate citizen science engagement, rendering PVS research conducive to broad participation. Collaboration across medical, engineering, and citizen domains is advocated for achieving deeper understanding and effective solutions.