Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reduction in phantom pain and sensation with combined
training of progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery,
and phantom exercises.
DESIGN: Randomized controlled prospective trial with 2 parallel groups. SETTING:
Amputee unit of a rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects with unilateral
lower limb amputation (N=51) with phantom limb pain (PLP) and/or phantom limb
sensation (PLS). INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group performed combined
training of progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and phantom exercises
2 times/wk for 4 weeks, whereas the control group had the same amount of physical
therapy dedicated to the residual limb. No pharmacological intervention was
initiated during the trial period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Prosthesis
Evaluation Questionnaire and the Brief Pain Inventory were used to evaluate
changes over time in different aspects (intensity, rate, duration, and bother) of
PLS and PLP. Blind evaluations were performed before and after treatment and
after 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant
decrease over time in all the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire domains (in
terms of both PLS and PLP; P<.04 for both) and the Brief Pain Inventory (P<.03).
No statistically significant changes were observed in the control group.
Between-group analyses showed a significant reduction in intensity (average and
worst pain) and bother of PLP and rate and bother of PLS at follow-up evaluation,
1 month after the end of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Combined training of
progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and modified phantom exercises
should be taken into account as a valuable technique to reduce phantom limb pain
and sensation.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS