Observation of limb movements reduces phantom limb pain in bilateral amputees

Monica L. Tung; Ian C. Murphy; Sarah C. Griffin; Aimee L. Alphonso; Lindsey Hussey-Anderson; Katie E. Hughes; Sharon R. Weeks; Victoria Merritt; Joseph M. Yetto; Paul F. Pasquina; Jack W. Tsao

doi:10.1002/acn3.89

Observation of limb movements reduces phantom limb pain in bilateral amputees

Monica L. Tung, Ian C. Murphy, Sarah C. Griffin, Aimee L. Alphonso, Lindsey Hussey-Anderson, Katie E. Hughes, Sharon R. Weeks, Victoria Merritt, Joseph M. Yetto, Paul F. Pasquina, Jack W. Tsao

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Mirror therapy has been demonstrated to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP) experienced by unilateral limb amputees. Research suggests that the visual feedback of observing a limb moving in the mirror is critical for therapeutic efficacy. Objective: Since mirror therapy is not an option for bilateral lower limb amputees, the purpose of this study was to determine if direct observation of another person's limbs could be used to relieve PLP. Methods: We randomly assigned 20 bilateral lower limb amputees with PLP to visual observation (n = 11) or mental visualization (n = 9) treatment. Treatment consisted of seven discrete movements which were mimicked by the amputee's phantom limbs moving while visually observing the experimenter's limbs moving, or closing the eyes while visualizing and attempting the movements with their phantom limbs, respectively. Participants performed movements for 20 min daily for 1 month. Response to therapy was measured using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and the McGill Short-Form Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Results: Direct visual observation significantly reduced PLP in both legs (P < 0.05). Amputees assigned to the mental visualization condition did not show a significant reduction in PLP. Interpretation: Direct visual observation therapy is an inexpensive and effective treatment for PLP that is accessible to bilateral lower limb amputees.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	633-638
Number of pages	6
Journal	Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Volume	1
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.89
State	Published - Sep 2014
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Neuroscience
Clinical Neurology

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title = "Observation of limb movements reduces phantom limb pain in bilateral amputees",

abstract = "Background: Mirror therapy has been demonstrated to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP) experienced by unilateral limb amputees. Research suggests that the visual feedback of observing a limb moving in the mirror is critical for therapeutic efficacy. Objective: Since mirror therapy is not an option for bilateral lower limb amputees, the purpose of this study was to determine if direct observation of another person's limbs could be used to relieve PLP. Methods: We randomly assigned 20 bilateral lower limb amputees with PLP to visual observation (n = 11) or mental visualization (n = 9) treatment. Treatment consisted of seven discrete movements which were mimicked by the amputee's phantom limbs moving while visually observing the experimenter's limbs moving, or closing the eyes while visualizing and attempting the movements with their phantom limbs, respectively. Participants performed movements for 20 min daily for 1 month. Response to therapy was measured using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and the McGill Short-Form Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Results: Direct visual observation significantly reduced PLP in both legs (P < 0.05). Amputees assigned to the mental visualization condition did not show a significant reduction in PLP. Interpretation: Direct visual observation therapy is an inexpensive and effective treatment for PLP that is accessible to bilateral lower limb amputees.",

author = "Tung, {Monica L.} and Murphy, {Ian C.} and Griffin, {Sarah C.} and Alphonso, {Aimee L.} and Lindsey Hussey-Anderson and Hughes, {Katie E.} and Weeks, {Sharon R.} and Victoria Merritt and Yetto, {Joseph M.} and Pasquina, {Paul F.} and Tsao, {Jack W.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2014 The Authors. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc on behalf of American Neurological Association.",

year = "2014",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1002/acn3.89",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "1",

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AU - Tung, Monica L.

AU - Murphy, Ian C.

AU - Griffin, Sarah C.

AU - Alphonso, Aimee L.

AU - Hussey-Anderson, Lindsey

AU - Hughes, Katie E.

AU - Weeks, Sharon R.

AU - Merritt, Victoria

AU - Yetto, Joseph M.

AU - Pasquina, Paul F.

AU - Tsao, Jack W.

PY - 2014/9

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N2 - Background: Mirror therapy has been demonstrated to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP) experienced by unilateral limb amputees. Research suggests that the visual feedback of observing a limb moving in the mirror is critical for therapeutic efficacy. Objective: Since mirror therapy is not an option for bilateral lower limb amputees, the purpose of this study was to determine if direct observation of another person's limbs could be used to relieve PLP. Methods: We randomly assigned 20 bilateral lower limb amputees with PLP to visual observation (n = 11) or mental visualization (n = 9) treatment. Treatment consisted of seven discrete movements which were mimicked by the amputee's phantom limbs moving while visually observing the experimenter's limbs moving, or closing the eyes while visualizing and attempting the movements with their phantom limbs, respectively. Participants performed movements for 20 min daily for 1 month. Response to therapy was measured using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and the McGill Short-Form Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Results: Direct visual observation significantly reduced PLP in both legs (P < 0.05). Amputees assigned to the mental visualization condition did not show a significant reduction in PLP. Interpretation: Direct visual observation therapy is an inexpensive and effective treatment for PLP that is accessible to bilateral lower limb amputees.

AB - Background: Mirror therapy has been demonstrated to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP) experienced by unilateral limb amputees. Research suggests that the visual feedback of observing a limb moving in the mirror is critical for therapeutic efficacy. Objective: Since mirror therapy is not an option for bilateral lower limb amputees, the purpose of this study was to determine if direct observation of another person's limbs could be used to relieve PLP. Methods: We randomly assigned 20 bilateral lower limb amputees with PLP to visual observation (n = 11) or mental visualization (n = 9) treatment. Treatment consisted of seven discrete movements which were mimicked by the amputee's phantom limbs moving while visually observing the experimenter's limbs moving, or closing the eyes while visualizing and attempting the movements with their phantom limbs, respectively. Participants performed movements for 20 min daily for 1 month. Response to therapy was measured using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and the McGill Short-Form Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Results: Direct visual observation significantly reduced PLP in both legs (P < 0.05). Amputees assigned to the mental visualization condition did not show a significant reduction in PLP. Interpretation: Direct visual observation therapy is an inexpensive and effective treatment for PLP that is accessible to bilateral lower limb amputees.

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Observation of limb movements reduces phantom limb pain in bilateral amputees

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