Introduction: Phantom limb pain is a neuropathic pain that occurs in a part of the body that
no longer exists. It most often occurs after amputation of a limb and is a consequence of
complex mechanisms of the central and peripheral nervous system. It is present in most
people after an amputation, but in a smaller proportion it also persists as chronic pain.
Amputation significantly affects an individual's physical, psychological and functional state,
which is why rehabilitation is necessary and takes place within the framework of a
multidisciplinary team. Occupational therapy plays an important role in this, as it enables
the individual to re-engage in everyday and important occupations with therapeutic
activities. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma thesis was to review professional and
scientific literature on the role of occupational therapy in managing phantom limb pain.
Methods: A literature review was conducted in five databases using the keywords: phantom
limb pain, amputation and occupational therapy. The search was conducted in Slovenian and
English, with no time limit. Results: Eight articles were included in the final analysis. Based
on the analysis of the selected articles, we have identified four areas of occupational therapy
intervention in the treatment of phantom limb pain: mirror therapy and support technologies,
virtual reality, phantom motor execution and support groups. Discussion and conclusion:
Occupational therapy can be included in the treatment of phantom limb pain primarily by
using sensorimotor approaches. These are based on the neuroplasticity of the brain, which
enables the reestablishment of motor connections. This reduces the level of phantom limb
pain, its frequency, and intensity. As a result, occupational participation and individual
satisfaction improve, and in some cases, dependence on analgesics decreases. We conclude
that more research is needed on the topic discussed, which would enable a broader inclusion
of occupational therapy in the treatment of phantom limb pain.
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