What is it about?
Mirror therapy and augmented reality are promising treatment options for patients suffering from phantom limb pain. This study investigated the effects of these treatments in 75 lower limb amputees. Overall, mirror therapy and augmented reality showed little effect, although significant effects were suggested in some subgroups.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
This study is the largest trial investigating effects of mirror therapy and augmented reality to treat phantom limb pain so far. It suggests that certain patient characteristics play an important role regarding the effects of the intervention.
Perspectives
Mirror therapy has been used for over 20 years in patients suffering from phantom limb pain. However, we still know little about which patients really benefit from this approach and which do not. Our research which was conducted over 4 years, contributes to a better understanding of the intervention and potential patient characteristics that influence its outcome.
Andreas Rothgangel
Zuyd Hogeschool
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Traditional and augmented reality mirror therapy for patients with chronic phantom limb pain (PACT study): results of a three-group, multicentre single-blind randomized controlled trial, Clinical Rehabilitation, July 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0269215518785948.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Video demonstrating augmented reality mirror therapy in a patient with phantom limb pain
Interview and video from the MEDICA fair in Duesseldorf, Germany 2015.
wdr servicezeit „hightech in der medizin"
Interview with PACT patient representative Thomas Frey on the German TV WDR about his experiences with mirror therapy and the teletreatment using augmented reality mirror therapy.
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
