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.