Mirror Therapy Versus Augmented/Virtual Reality Applications: Towards a Tailored Mechanism-Based Treatment for Phantom Limb Pain

Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a clinically relevant consequence of limb amputation and its treatment is still challenging. Mirror therapy, in other words, observing and engaging in the intact limb’s mirrored movements, offers a promising, mechanism-based treatment for PLP. However, intervention and patient characteristics, such as the realism of mirrored exercises and perceptions related to the phantom limb, might influence treatment effectiveness. Novel approaches using augmented and virtual reality setups represent an alternative to traditional mirror therapy. In this paper, based on recent studies in the field, we compare both approaches and discuss their unique advantages and disadvantages. We argue for the necessity of a tailored treatment for PLP that is personalized to the patients’ characteristics, preferences and psychological needs.

Keywords::

• amputation
• augmented reality
• mechanism-based treatment
• mirror therapy
• personalized medicine
• phantom limb pain
• virtual reality

Author’s contributions

Both authors developed the concept of the article, wrote the manuscript and approved the final version for submission.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the SPP2134 project “Phantom body: Neuropsychological mechanisms underlying the perceived unity between the body and the self” which receives funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (BE 5723/4-1; awarded to R Bekrater-Bodmann). A Rothgangel states that he has received personal fees for seminars on mirror therapy. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the SPP2134 project “Phantom body: Neuropsychological mechanisms underlying the perceived unity between the body and the self” which receives funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (BE 5723/4-1; awarded to R Bekrater-Bodmann). A Rothgangel states that he has received personal fees for seminars on mirror therapy. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.