Does mirror therapy reduce phantom limb pain among amputees?

Does mirror therapy reduce phantom limb pain among amputees?

Study findings showed that self-delivered mirror therapy is indeed effective for phantom pain. Almost half of the participants reported phantom pain reduction, with an average pain reduction of almost 40 percent. Ten participants reported phantom pain reduction greater than or equal to 40 percent.

How does a mirror help with phantom limb pain?

Mirror therapy is a type of therapy that uses vision to treat the pain that people with amputated limbs sometimes feel in their missing limbs. Mirror therapy does this by tricking the brain: it gives the illusion that the missing limb is moving, as the person looks at the real, remaining limb in a mirror.

What is the explanation for how the mirror box illusion works?

The mirror creates an illusion of the affected limb to trick the brain into thinking movement has occurred. The visual feedback from the reflection of the unaffected limb helps to drive proprioception in the affected limb. Using this mirror box illusion helps normalize the movement process.

What is Ramachandran’s mirror box?

In the 1990s Ramachandran used a ‘mirror box’ to ‘resurrect’ phantom limbs and thus to treat the pain that often accompanied them. The experimental success of his mirror therapy led Ramachandran to see mirrors as a useful model of brain function, a tendency that explains his attraction to work on ‘mirror neurons’.

Does mirror therapy work?

This review found that mirror therapy can be safe and effective. In fact, it improved upper and lower limb movement in affected limbs and the ability to conduct daily activities for up to and potentially beyond 6 months after stroke, with no side effects reported.

How do you do mirror therapy?

Mirror Therapy involves viewing the unaffected limb in a mirror, while keeping the residual limb out of sight. To start, the individual observes the sound limb in the mirror, and then gradually begins to move the hand while continuing to watch in the mirror.

Is mirror box therapy evidence based?

Authors’ conclusions. The results indicate evidence for the effectiveness of mirror therapy for improving upper extremity motor function, motor impairment, activities of daily living, and pain, at least as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation for people after stroke.

How do you do mirror box therapy?

Sit comfortably with the injured/painful hand in the box, keeping it hidden from view. Place the other hand in front of the mirror. Leaning forward and comfortably centred, look at the image created in the mirror. Your brain is now ‘seeing’ the injured/painful hand.

Does mirror box therapy work?

How often should you do mirror therapy?

Do Mirror Therapy three to five times per day. Initially, you may only be able to observe the image of the mirrored hand and perhaps make small movements. With time, try to make larger and smoother movements with both arms.

How long does it take for mirror therapy to work?

Mirror therapy helps relieve this pain (after numerous sessions) by helping the brain recognize and “feel” the arm. As a result, the pain decreases in as little as 3 weeks.

How long does mirror therapy last?

A typical mirror therapy session should last about 30 minutes, but patients can split this time up into three 10-minute or two 15-minute sessions, if preferred.