Abstract

MAS ESQUERDO, J.; MARUENDA FERNANDEZ, R.  and  ROBLES SANCHEZ, J.I.. Neurpsychological treatment of phantom limb pain: a case report. Sanid. Mil. [online]. 2013, vol.69, n.3, pp.195-202. ISSN 1887-8571.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1887-85712013000300006.

In this paper we present a case of treatment of phantom limb pain suffered by a soldier of the Spanish Armed Forces, who underwent right lower-limb amputation following the explosion of an explosive device. The patient reports stump pain, as well as pain in the top and sole of the amputated foot. She describes phantom limb pain (PLP) with an intensity level of 5-6/10 on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The treatment for PLP proposed by Ramachandran is given, using the Mirror Therapy. 30 sessions, of 20-30 minutes each, are carried out, measuring PLP intensity at the beginning and at the end of each session using a VAS. Upon discharge, and after 4 months of treatment, the patient reports a pain intensity score below 1. The effectiveness of this technique is thus concluded, as well as the inconvenience of the possibility of re-experiencing the trauma through the mirror image that simulates the amputated limb. In addition, there is also evidence of the influence of emotional aspects as factors modulating the painful experience. The case described highlights the remarkable degree of plasticity of the adult brain, and the powerful interaction of the visual pathway on the sensory-motor pathway. Lastly, we need to continue further research in the field of operational military healthcare in order to provide effective treatments for this type of pathologies, which are so prevalent in the current theatres of war.

Keywords : Neuropsychology; Limb phantom pain; Mirror therapy; Amputation.

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