Reducing phantom limb pain using phantom motor execution enabled by augmented and virtual reality: participants’ perspectives on an innovative treatment
Journal article, 2024

Purpose: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a condition that greatly diminishes quality of life. Phantom motor execution (PME), enabled by myoelectric pattern recognition combined with virtual and augmented reality, is a novel treatment for PLP. Here we, aimed to describe patients’ experiences of this treatment. Material and Methods: Qualitative, using semi-structured interviews one month after completed PME treatment. Twenty-one Swedish and Dutch patients (mean age 57, 16 males, 16 lower limb amputations) participated. The analysis followed the framework approach. Results: The main themes were 1) treatment effects on the perception of the phantom limb, 2) living with PLP before and after treatment, and 3) facilitators and barriers to treatment. Most participants learned to control their phantom limb, perceived it more positively and as more complete. This control over the phantom limb became a tool for managing PLP. Most participants’ outlook on life and energy levels improved after treatment. Being mentally focused during treatment was important. Therapists were pivotal to the success of the treatment. Conclusion: Controlling the phantom limb improved their perception of it and pain management, self-agency, and quality of life. The therapists’ role was invaluable. We suggest training for patients in phantom limb control before and after amputation.

activities of daily Living

therapeutic approach

social participation

qualitative research

Pain management

Author

Els Keesom

University of Groningen

Kajsa Lidström-Holmqvist

Faculty of Medicine and Health

Örebro läns landsting

Max Jair Ortiz Catalan

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Systems and control

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

University of Gothenburg

Center for Bionics and Pain Research

Monika Pilch

National University of Ireland

Trinity College Dublin

Eva Lendaro

Center for Bionics and Pain Research

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering

Liselotte Hermansson

Örebro läns landsting

Faculty of Medicine and Health

Corry K. Van Der Sluis

University of Groningen

Disability and Rehabilitation

0963-8288 (ISSN) 1464-5165 (eISSN)

Vol. In Press

Subject Categories

Physiotherapy

Orthopedics

DOI

10.1080/09638288.2024.2413179

More information

Latest update

11/5/2024