Article

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a distressing condition experienced by many
amputees. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether motor imagery
could be used to treat PLP. METHOD: Four single case studies were conducted. The
participants kept a pain diary in which they recorded the intensity of their PLP
during a baseline period, general motor imagery training, phantom limb movement
therapy and a follow-up period. Qualitative and quantitative (i.e. interrupted
time series) analyses were employed to determine whether phantom limb movement
therapy had a significant effect on PLP intensity. RESULTS: Phantom limb movement
therapy significantly reduced intensity of PLP in one participant. One
participant gained occasional relief by doing phantom limb movement therapy
exercises but did not experience an overall reduction in PLP intensity. The third
participant did not experience any relief and the fourth participant reported
experiencing the re-emergence of an old pain. CONCLUSION: The results display
individual differences in response to phantom limb movement therapy. Individual
differences are discussed in the context of motor imagery ability and the phantom
limb phenomenon as a multi-dimensional disorder.

Langue : ANGLAIS