scholarly journals The use of mirror therapy in the treatment of phantom limb pain in amputees

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-219
Author(s):  
Omar Fadili ◽  
Basile Labouche ◽  
Fatiha Rhattat Achour
Keyword(s):  
Central Body ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Therapeutic Procedure ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Non Invasive

Mirror therapy is a non-invasive and inexpensive therapeutic procedure indicated for the treatment of post-amputation phantom limb pain. This technique has proven its effectiveness and consists of bringing into play brain plasticity in order to reshape the central body architecture after amputation. This is a quantitative and descriptive study, which aims to objectify the use of mirror therapy on phantom pain in amputees, by combining the results in order to evaluate its effects, its application and its limits in the management of post-amputation.

scholarly journals A Virtual Reality System for Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain using Game Training and Motion Tracking

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bartal Henriksen ◽  
Ronni Nielsen ◽  
Laszlo Szabo ◽  
Nicolaj Evers ◽  
Martin Kraus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Motion Tracking ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Preliminary Test ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Motion Sensor ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Home Based

This paper describes the implementation of a phantom limb pain (PLP) home-based system using virtual reality (VR) and a motion sensor to immerse the users in a virtual environment (VE). The work is inspired by mirror therapy (MT), which has been used to relieve PLP. The target patient group focuses on unilateral upper-limb amputees with phantom pain. Using a motion sensor, the system tracks the movement of a user's hand and translates it onto the virtual hand. The system consists of exercises including opening and closing the hand, rotating the hand, and finer finger movements. These exercises are conveyed in the VR as three games: (1) A bending game, where the patients have to bend a rod, (2) a box game where the patients pick up and place boxes with their hands, (3) and a button memory game where the patients have to push buttons in a given sequence. These games were tested on twelve healthy participants to evaluate if the games encouraged similar movements as in MT. Prior to the experiment a preliminary test was conducted on an amputee with PLP to gather qualitative feedback from an end-user. The results indicated that the games did convey the exercises from the MT, although further testing is needed.

scholarly journals Clinical Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of a Novel Mixed Reality Based System to Manage Phantom Pain for Patients with Lower Limb Amputation.: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiru M Annaswamy ◽  
Kanchan Bahirat ◽  
Gargi Raval ◽  
Yu-Yen Chung ◽  
Balakrishnan Prabhakaran
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
History Of ◽  
Game Performance

Objective: This report describes the details of Mr. MAPP, a virtual mirror therapy system and the results of a clinical feasibility and evaluation study of a pilot sample of patients with history of lower limb amputation and phantom limb pain. Materials and Methods: Mr. MAPP system uses a Kinect V2 RGB-D camera to capture the patient, generates a live interactive 3D model, and incorporates it into a virtual exergame. Mr. MAPP mirrors their preserved limb and allows participants to visualize their amputated limb virtually and perform their prescribed exercise program. Mr. MAPP creates a digital diary of their therapy sessions by recording game performance and errors. Ten consecutive patients with history of limb loss and phantom pain were targeted for this pilot study. They received a Mr. MAPP system and a laptop for home use for 1-month. Outcome measures including pain intensity and pain interference measured on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) as well as functional outcomes measured on Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) were obtained at baseline, and after 1-month. Results: Seven participants were enrolled, out of which four completed the study. The study was temporarily suspended due to restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In-game performance data showed a trend towards improvement in most participants. Compared to baseline, NRS and MPQ scores at 1-month showed no clear trends. PSFS scores improved for 1 participant and remained unchanged for others. Conclusion: Gamified home exercises performed via a novel, mixed-reality system, Mr. MAPP, using which virtual mirror therapy was delivered, is feasible and has potential to improve pain and pain related function in patients with lower limb amputations and phantom limb pain.

An Experimental Study of Atypical Phantom Pain

1965 ◽  
Vol 111 (481) ◽  
pp. 1185-1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Pilowsky ◽  
A. Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Emotional Factors ◽  
Psychological Mechanism

A number of writers have drawn attention to the importance of emotional factors in phantom limb pain (Kolb, 1950, 1952; Simmel, 1956; Russell, 1959; Von Hagen, 1963). Kolb (1950, 1952) reported an association between the discussion of certain emotionally loaded topics and accesses of pain in the phantom. Stengel (1965), in his Maudsley Lecture, discussed the role played in these experiences by the psychological mechanism of identification with others. He briefly referred to the patient whom we have studied.

Phantom Limb Pain

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth D. Candido ◽  
Teresa M. Kusper ◽  
Alexei Lissounov ◽  
Nebojsa Nick Knezevic
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Body Part ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Neurologic Sequelae ◽  
The 19Th Century

Post-amputation pain (PAP) has challenged clinicians for centuries. The first written record of this perplexing condition came from the 16th-century French military surgeon Ambrose Paré. The term phantom limb pain (PLP) was coined by Silas Weir Mitchell, who provided a comprehensive description of the condition during the 19th century. Since that time, the understanding of PLP has greatly expanded; however, our knowledge of the exact mechanisms underlying it is still very deficient. Amputation of a body part can result in one sequela or more than one neurologic sequelae occurring concurrently: phantom sensation, phantom pain, and stump pain. The incidence and prevalence vary across the spectrum of these syndromes. A myriad of treatment modalities are employed in an attempt to terminate PLP, including pharmacotherapy, injections, alternative therapy, surgical interventions, and neuromodulation. Despite an extensive search for effective therapeutic options, PLP remains a highly challenging and debilitating condition.

A Virtual Reality Intervention for the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain: Development and Feasibility Results

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2051-2059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Rutledge ◽  
Deborah Velez ◽  
Colin Depp ◽  
John R McQuaid ◽  
Garland Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Baseline Visit ◽  
Adverse Experiences ◽  
Treatment Measures ◽  
User Ratings ◽  
Very High

Abstract Objective To describe the development of a virtual reality (VR) treatment for phantom limb pain (PLP) and phantom sensations and provide feasibility data from testing the treatment in a population of veterans. Design & Subjects Fourteen participants completed a baseline visit evaluating their amputation, PLP, and phantom sensations. Subsequently, participants completed a VR treatment modeled after mirror therapy for PLP, navigating in a VR environment with a bicycle pedaler and motion sensor to pair their cadence to a VR avatar. The VR avatar enabled visualization of the participant’s intact phantom limb in motion, a hypothesized mechanism of mirror therapy. Setting Laboratory. Methods Participants completed pre- and post-treatment measures to evaluate changes in PLP, phantom sensations, and rate helpfulness, realism, immersion, adverse experiences, and treatment satisfaction. Results Eight of 14 participants (57.1%) reported PLP pre–VR treatment, and 93% (13/14) reported one or more unpleasant phantom sensations. After treatment, 28.6% (4/14) continued to report PLP symptoms (t[13] = 2.7, P = 0.02, d = 0.53) and 28.6% (4/14) reported phantom sensations (t[13] = 4.4, P = 0.001, d = 1.7). Ratings of helpfulness, realism, immersion, and satisfaction were uniformly high to very high. There were no adverse experiences. Four participants completed multiple VR treatments, showing stable improvements in PLP intensity and phantom sensations and high user ratings. Conclusions This feasibility study of a novel VR intervention for PLP was practical and was associated with significant reductions in PLP intensity and phantom sensations. Our findings support continued research in VR-based treatments in PLP, with a need for direct comparisons between VR and more established PLP treatments.

Preamputation Mirror Therapy May Prevent Development of Phantom Limb Pain: A Case Series

2010 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 611-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Hanling ◽  
Scott C. Wallace ◽  
Kerry J. Hollenbeck ◽  
Brian D. Belnap ◽  
Matthew R. Tulis
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Limb Pain

Effectiveness of mirror therapy, motor imagery, and virtual feedback on phantom limb pain following amputation: A systematic review

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Herrador Colmenero ◽  
Jose Manuel Perez Marmol ◽  
Celia Martí-García ◽  
María de los Ángeles Querol Zaldivar ◽  
Rosa María Tapia Haro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Motor Imagery ◽  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Limb Pain

Background: Phantom limb pain is reported in 50%–85% of people with amputation. Clinical interventions in treating central pain, such as mirror therapy, motor imagery, or virtual visual feedback, could redound in benefits to amputee patients with phantom limb pain. Objectives: To provide an overview of the effectiveness of different techniques for treating phantom limb pain in amputee patients. Study design: Systematic review. Methods: A computerized literature search up to April 2017 was performed using the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PEDro, EBSCOhost, and Cochrane Plus. Methodological quality and internal validity score of each study were assessed using PEDro scale. For data synthesis, qualitative methods from the Cochrane Back Review Group were applied. Results: In all, 12 studies met our inclusion criteria, where 9 were rated as low methodological quality and 3 rated moderate quality. All studies showed a significant reduction in pain, but there was heterogeneity among subjects and methodologies and any high-quality clinical trial (PEDro score ≤8; internal validity score ≤5) was not found. Conclusion: Mirror therapy, motor imaginary, and virtual visual feedback reduce phantom limb pain; however, there is limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Future studies should include designs with more solid research methods, exploring short- and long-term benefits of these therapies. Clinical relevance This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of mirror therapy, motor imagery, and virtual visual feedback on phantom limb pain, summarizing the currently published trials and evaluating the research quality. Although these interventions have positive benefits in phantom limb pain, there is still a lack of evidence for supporting their effectiveness.

Phantom Limb Pain Responds to Distant Skin Magnets: Support for the Functional Existence of Acupuncture Meridians

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timö Töysä
Keyword(s):  
Phantom Limb Pain ◽  
Phantom Limb ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Limb Pain ◽  
Stopping Treatment

Phantom leg pain in 10 patients was treated with skin magnets to the ipsilateral superior ends, on the thorax, of the leg Yin-meridians (KI.27, LR.14 and SP.21). The majority of patients reported relief of phantom pain while skin magnets were in situ, but in general this benefit was lost soon after stopping treatment. In two cases the method appeared more effective than morphine, and in a few patients it seemed to have some prophylactic benefit.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document