This is the first actually trial based study I've read about mirror boxes.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/ ... arch_story
Phantom Limb Pain: Mirrors May Help
Study: Mirror Therapy May Reduce Phantom Limb Pain in Amputees
Nov 21, 2007
(WebMD) Mirrors may help curb phantom limb pain, a new study shows.
After an amputation, many people experience pain in the area where their amputated limb had been. That's called phantom limb pain .
The new study on phantom limb pain tests a technique called mirror therapy.
Eighteen patients took part, each of whom had phantom limb pain from an amputated foot. First, they rated their phantom limb pain. Then they were split into three groups.
Patients in one group were assigned to mirror therapy. They watched themselves in a mirror as they tried to move their phantom limb.
Of course, the patients couldn't move an amputated foot. The point was to see if their brain and nerves would dim phantom limb pain based on what they saw in the mirror.
Patients in another group performed the same exercise, but their mirror was covered by a sheet, so they couldn't see themselves.
The third group of patients didn't use a mirror at all. Instead, they tried mental visualization, imagining themselves moving their amputated limb.
Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain
The patients practiced their assigned technique for 15 minutes per day for four weeks, and then they rated their phantom limb pain again.
All of the patients in the mirror therapy group reported a drop in their phantom limb pain. Two of them also had brief bouts of grief as they watched themselves in the mirror.
In comparison, one patient in the covered mirror group and two in the visualization group reported a reduction in phantom limb pain.
Phantom limb pain scores worsened for three patients in the covered mirror group, four in the visualization group, and none in the mirror therapy group.
The mirror may have provided visual feedback that turned down the brain's pain pathways, suggest the researchers, who don't know exactly how that process works.
They included Brenda Chan of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and Jack Tsao, MD, DPhil, of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md.
Their report appears in tomorrow's edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Phantom Limb Pain: Mirrors May Help
- Christopher
- Posts: 845
- Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:09 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Date of Injury: 12/15/02
Level of Injury:
-dominant side C5, C6, & C7 avulsed. C8 & T1 stretched & crushed
BPI Related Surgeries:
-2 Intercostal nerves grafted to Biceps muscle,
-Free-Gracilis muscle transfer to Biceps Region innervated with 2 Intercostal nerves grafts.
-2 Sural nerves harvested from both Calves for nerve grafting.
-Partial Ulnar nerve grafted to Long Triceps.
-Uninjured C7 Hemi-Contralateral cross-over to Deltoid muscle.
-Wrist flexor tendon transfer to middle, ring, & pinky finger extensors.
Surgical medical facility:
Brachial Plexus Clinic at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
(all surgeries successful)
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
~Theodore Roosevelt - Location: Los Angeles, California USA
Re: Phantom Limb Pain: Mirrors May Help
I understand that "Phantom Pain" is similar or is a type of neuropathic pain, but isn't the ability to see your limb differnt than one who has had it amputated ? Does the mirror trick the brain in believing it has that limb ? and if it does, TBPI have their limbs so how does the mirror help?
-
- Posts: 1183
- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 5:24 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: January 1980 Yamaha RD200 vs 16 wheeler truck, result, 1 totally paralysed right arm. I was 21, now 54. I had no surgery, I don't regret this. Decided to totally ignore limitations (easily done aged 21) adapted very quickly to one handed life, got married, had 3 kids, worked- the effect of the injury on my life (once the pain stopped being constant) was minimal and now, aged 54, I very rarely even think of it, unless I bash it or it gets cold, then I wish I'd had it amputated :) Except for a steering knob on my car, I have no adaptations to help with life, mainly because I honestly don't think of myself as disabled and the only thing I can't do is peel potatoes, which is definitely a good thing.
Re: Phantom Limb Pain: Mirrors May Help
You hide your affected limb so that the reflected image is of a working arm/hand. It worked for me to get rid of that awful clenching pressure feeling, but it also made me feel very weird.
-
- Posts: 81
- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:13 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LTBPI, Feb 2009, hit by truck while on a run. Free muscle transfer at Mayo Clinic 6 months later.
- Location: Chicago, IL
Re: Phantom Limb Pain: Mirrors May Help
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to hear from anyone who has tried this over the long term. I just started mirror therapy with my OT this week and I'm instructed to practice 15 min 5x a week. I've set up a tall mirror on one side of a door, then straddle the door so my bad arm is behind the door and the good one is reflected in the mirror.
When I do the mirror exercises, I find that the burning/squeezing feeling goes away almost immediately. However, when I stop, the pain comes back pretty quickly. I realize this takes several weeks of regular practice, but has anyone found that the mirror therapy had a long term effect of decreasing pain and/or reducing the number of meds you need?
Mike
PS: Thanks to those who initially posted about this topic, as I wouldn't have tried this otherwise.
I just wanted to hear from anyone who has tried this over the long term. I just started mirror therapy with my OT this week and I'm instructed to practice 15 min 5x a week. I've set up a tall mirror on one side of a door, then straddle the door so my bad arm is behind the door and the good one is reflected in the mirror.
When I do the mirror exercises, I find that the burning/squeezing feeling goes away almost immediately. However, when I stop, the pain comes back pretty quickly. I realize this takes several weeks of regular practice, but has anyone found that the mirror therapy had a long term effect of decreasing pain and/or reducing the number of meds you need?
Mike
PS: Thanks to those who initially posted about this topic, as I wouldn't have tried this otherwise.
-
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:44 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: RTBPI - injured during a right cervical rib resection on 12/3/2008 for thoracic outlet syndrome. The doctor completely transected the lateral cord at C5-C6 Erb's pointe and the suprascapular nerve. Had a nerve repair done on 12/12/2008 to reattach the nerves. Did two years of OT. I have some issues with overuse issues with my left shoulder and also have come to find that my joints are hypermobile so I have instability in the joints which causes a lot of problems such as pressure and pain.
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
Re: Phantom Limb Pain: Mirrors May Help
I started mirror therapy with my OT a bit recently. She did it a few times with me at the office. I honestly didnt see a difference with pain. I have only done it a few times though. I don't do it on my own at home yet.
--
Marie
RTBPI December 2008
C5-C6
Marie
RTBPI December 2008
C5-C6