The home-based mirror therapy in the reduction of phantom limb pain in unilateral below-knee amputees

Objectives: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a common issue for amputees, leading to various long-term challenges. Mirror therapy, a low-risk and cost-effective treatment, can be done at home. This study evaluates the effect of home-based mirror therapy on PLP in unilateral below-knee amputees. Materials and Methods: The study included 16 male participants, aged 18 and above. They were randomly assigned to either the mirror therapy group or the control group (prosthesis use). The mirror therapy group received a single training session (15–30 min). Then, they did exercises at home for at least 15 min a day for four weeks. They also had to use their prosthesis for at least 3 h daily. Weekly phone or online check-ins recorded pain levels. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: Participants had a mean age of 45.12 years, and initial VAS pain scores ranged from 3 to 10. After 4 weeks, the mirror therapy group showed a 37.5% reduction in pain ( P < 0.05). The control group did not experience a significant pain change ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: Mirror therapy is a promising option for managing PLP. It supports the benefits of telehealth and home-based exercises, reducing the need for in-person consultations.