Effectiveness of mirror therapy for amputation patients at National Authority of Prosthesis and Orthosis in Sudan

Abstract

Introduction. Mirror Therapy (MT) seems to be a promising strategy in amputation rehabilitation by creating a visual representation of the missing limb. The study exploring the effect of MT and conventional rehabilitation in the treatment of post-amputation phantom lower limp pain in National Authority of Prosthesis and Orthosis (NAPO). Method. An experimental study was done on 20 patients that were found for the study (these were the only available cases with phantom lower limb pain), was divided into: Group (A) conventional rehabilitation, Group (B) MT, 10 patients were selected randomly in each group. Questioner with sixteen close end questions was distributed to the patients of the two groups for post rehabilitation assessment to reassess the effect of each treatment for post amputated phantom lower limp pain. Results. There were 50% of the participants were above 60 years old and 60% of participants had Trans – Femoral amputation. Diabetic was the major cause of Amputation (55%). According to participants perception, 40% of participants undergone MT thing it is effective in reducing phantom lower pain while only 10% of participants undergone conventional therapy think it is effective in reducing phantom lower pain. Conclusion. As known, diabetes is still the major cause of lower limb amputation in Sudan. Both conventional therapy and MT are found to be effective in the treatment of phantom lower limb pain, but MT is shown to be more effective compared to conventional therapy.