Introduction: Phantom limb pain is chronic pain at the site of the removed body part. The time it takes for phantom limb pain to develop is unpredictable and can occur at different times. The first signs of phantom limb pain can appear in the first months after the procedure or years afterwards. The treatment is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach, as there is no evidence that one therapy is more effective than another. Because of the increase in the use of pain management medications, out study may have an important implications for the further development of non-pharmacological approaches to reduce phantom limb pain. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of the visual-tactile illusion massage method on phantom limb pain and functional capacity in patients with lower limb amputation. Methods: In our pilot study we include adults with transibial or transfemoral lower limb amputation and with phantom limb pain in subacute and chronic phase due to complications of diabetes mellitus, vascular causes or traumatic injury. 13 subjects were recruited, four in the experimental group and nine in the control group. The total sample was made up of eight men and five women with an average age of 69,5 years. We used the Visual analogue scale and the McGill-Melzack pain questionnaire to assess phantom limb pain, and the 10-metre walk test, 6-minute walk test, Functional independece measure and Amputee mobility predictor with or without prostetic care to assess functional capacity. Measurements were taken before the treatment and on the last day. The experimental group received the visual-tactile illusion massage method in addition to conventional pain management and other treatments of the musltidisciplinary team members, while the control group did not receive the intervention. They had only received conventional pain management. The aim was to compare the effect of visual-tactile illusion massage method on phantom limb pain reduction. In addition, they received other treatments of the multidisciplinary team. The Medical Ethics Committee of Refuplic of Slovenia has given its approval for the research (No: 0120-597/2020/3). Results: There were statistically significant differences in the change in pain perception after the end of the intervention between the experimental and comparison groups (p < 0,05; p = 0,022). We found that the reduction in phantom limb pain was statistically significantly greater in the experimental group compared to control group. If we distinguish between the first and second week, the average improvement in pain was 1,79 (SO = 0,34) cm in the first week and 1,96 (SO = 0,66) cm in the second week. Individuals in the experimental group reported statistically significantly lower pain after the intervention than before the intervention (p = 0,14), while individuals in the control group did not. The scores achieved by the subjects in both groups on the Functional independence measurement – stairs and the Functional independece measurement – walk were generally higher at the discharge than at admission. In the experimental group, the progress was greater and the result is statistically significant (p=0,036), while in the control group we report no statistically significant result. In the 6-minute walk test, there is a marked improvement in both groups, more so in the experimental group. The experimental group improved in walking speed, while the control group showed no improvement in walking speed. Discussion and conclusion: We investigated an alternative treatment for phantom limb pain using visual-tactile stimulation. The method is effective for reducing phantom limb pain. Our findings may have important implications for the further development of non-pharmacological approaches to reduce phantom limb pain and to reduce the use of pharmacological treatments.
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