Background and aim: Although mirror therapy (MT) and phantom exercises (PE) have been shown to reduce pain, the efficacy of these methods in terms of pain, quality of life (QoL) and psychological status (PS) has not been investigated and compared to date. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any difference between MT and PE in the treatment of phantom limb pain (PLP). Materials and methods: Forty unilateral transtibial amputees (aged 18-45 YR) participated in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into ‘MT group’ and ‘PE group’. QoL was assessed using Short-Form 36 (SF-36), psychological status using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and pain intensity using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), before and at the end of the program, and on the 3rd and 6th months thereafter. Results: All assessments for all parameters improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). Comparison of the two groups revealed a significant difference in changes for VAS and BDI in all measurements, and in pre- and post-treatment scores for all SF-36 parameters (except for Role-Emotional) in favor of MT group (p<0.05). Conclusion: While pain intensity decreased and QoL and PS improved in both MT and PE groups, these improvements were greater in the MT group. Keywords: Mirror therapy, Phantom exercises, Phantom limb pain, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation

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This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a 6-week combined exercise program with and without connective tissue massage (CTM) on pain, fatigue, sleep problem, health status, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Patients were randomly allocated into Exercise (n = 20) and Exercise + CTM (n = 20) groups. The exercise program with and without CTM was carried out 2 days a week for 6 weeks. Pain, fatigue, sleep problem with Visual Analog Scales, health status with Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and quality of life with Short Form-36 were evaluated. After the program, pain, fatigue and sleep problem reduced, health status (except of the scores of FIQ-1 and FIQ-10), physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, role limitations due to emotional health, vitality, and general health perceptions parameters related to quality of life improved in the Exercise group, (P < 0.05). In the Exercise + CTM group, pain, fatigue and sleep problem decreased, health status and quality of life improved (P < 0.05). Pain, fatigue, sleep problem, and role limitations due to physical health improved in the Exercise + CTM group in comparison to the Exercise group (P < 0.05). The study suggested that exercises with and without CTM might be effective for decreasing pain, fatigue and sleep problem whereas increasing health status and quality of life in patients with FMS. However, exercises with CTM might be superior in improving pain, fatigue, sleep problem, and role limitations due to physical health compared to exercise alone.

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