Mirror Therapy in Unilateral Amputee Patients With Phantom Limb Pain.

Abstract

Up to 90% of amputee patients have phantom limb pain (PLP), which is difficult to treat. The aim of this study was to assess the medium and long-term efficacy of mirror therapy (MT) in unilateral amputee adults with PLP.

Methods: We carried out an uncontrolled prospective longitudinal study. Twelve consecutive adult subjects with upper or lower limb amputation and PLP were selected. Weekly sessions of nurse-guided, in-person MT training lasting 1.5 h were implemented for six months. In parallel, self-administered home sessions were added 20 min per day, five days per week for 12 months. At baseline, and at three, six, and 12 months the following variables were analyzed: subjects' clinical characteristics, pain intensity (visual analog scale), disability (Oswestry Disability Index), Quality of Life (QoL SF-36), impression of patient's global improvement (Patient Global Impression scale, PGI-I), and hours of MT in consultation and at home.

Results: Statistically significant differences in mean pain intensity scores were found (p < .001) between baseline, and measurements at three, six, and 12 months. Mean disability scores showed statistically significant improvement (p < .001) at at three months. QoL, and mean baseline scores in Physical Function (p < .002) and Body Pain (p < .001) dimensions improved significantly. Patient global impression scores were statistically significant.

Conclusions: These findings support the efficacy the medium and long term, of MT, in unilateral amputee adults, with PLP, through 12-month follow-up.