Background
To assess the clinical feasibility of a virtual mirror therapy system in a pilot sample of patients with phantom pain.
Methods
Our Mixed reality system for Managing Phantom Pain (Mr. MAPP) mirrors the preserved limb to visualize the amputated limb virtually and perform exercises. Seven patients with limb loss and phantom pain agreed to participate and received the system for 1-month home use. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and 1 month.
Results
Four (of seven recruited) participants completed the study, which was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions. At 1 month, in-game data showed a positive trend, but pain scores showed no clear trends. Functioning scores improved for 1 participant.
Conclusions
Mr. MAPP is feasible and has the potential to improve pain and function in patients with phantom pain.
Trial registration
Clinical Trials Registration, NCT04529083
This study was partly funded by the Rehabilitation Research Experience for Medical Students of the Association of Academic Physiatrists. The results of this study were presented at Physiatry '21, the Virtual Annual Meeting of the Association of Academic Physiatrists, February 13, 2021. Tri Pham and Adam Butler are in training. Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been
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