Treating Phantom Pain and Sensation With Zuckweiler???s Image Imprinting

Abstract

In Brief Zuckweiler’s Image Imprinting (ZIPS) for phantom pain and sensation is a form of mental imagery that reprograms the mind to correct the discrepancy between the old body image and the changed body form, to treat phantom pain and sensation. ZIPS has been successful in treating phantom breast pain. This study used ZIPS with 14 amputees to determine if it was an effective treatment for phantom limb pain. The results of this research showed a statistically significant decrease in 6-month post-treatment phantom pain frequency and phantom sensation frequency. Likewise, there was a statistically significant decrease in distress levels at 6 months. A phantom pain literature review, theoretical framework, methods, results, study limitations, and conclusion are presented. The purpose of this study was to determine if the ZIPS intervention is an effective intervention for limb phantom pain and sensation by producing a reduction in the frequency of limb phantom pain and sensation and a reduction in emotional distress. Zuckweiler’s Image Imprinting (ZIPS) for phantom pain and sensation is a form of mental imagery that reprograms the mind to correct the discrepancy between the old body image and the changed body form to treat phantom pain and sensation. This study used ZIPS with 14 amputees to determine if it was an effective treatment for phantom limb pain. The results of this research showed a statistically significant decrease in post-treatment phantom pain frequency, phantom sensation frequency, and distress levels at 6 months.