Efficacy of Neuromuscular Taping Along With Conventional Physical Therapy in Post Amputation Phantom Pain Management: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Neuro Muscular Taping (NMT) is a biomechanical therapy method using decompressive and compressive stimuli to obtain positive effects in the musculoskeletal, vascular, lymphatic and neurological systems. Application of an elastic tape on the skin will evoke direct therapeutic effect both local and distant by reflex. The application of NMT with an eccentric and decompressive technique rises the skin and dilates the interstitial spaces and consequently improves circulation and absorption of liquids reduces subcutaneous pressure. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of Neuromuscular taping on the treatment of Phantom pain in post amputation subjects in Mekelle ortho-physiotherapy centre, Physiotherapy Department, Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia, 2015-16. Materials and Methods:The study population consisted of 32 subjects between 10 and 80 years of age. Subjects who underwent lower limb amputation and having phantom pain syndrome in Mekelle-ortho physiotherapy center, Mekelle and meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The 32 subjects were allocated in to two groups of which, one is experimental group (16 subjects who were treated with neuromuscular taping treatment along with conventional physiotherapy) and second control group (16 subjects who were treated with conventional physiotherapy alone). Results:To check the effectiveness of neuromuscular taping, the results of both groups were compared with each other i.e. between the groups it revealed a statistical association, i.e. (df =16, p=0.005 level, group A= 0.059 & group B =0.501). These finding clearly suggested that for lower limb amputation patient conventional physiotherapy is effective in reduction of pain but along with neuromuscular taping it stands to very effective in reducing phantom pain in post amputation subjects and VAS scale parameters reduction resulted in 6-7 treatment sessions that is less than in 8-10 treatment sessions when compared to control group. Conclusion:To conclude the results using the conventional physiotherapy with neuromuscular taping in the management of phantom pain in lower limb amputation subjects were found to be very effective than conventional physiotherapy alone. Hence, it is highly recommended that neuro muscular taping can be included in the treatment protocol for lower limb amputation subjects having phantom pain syndrome along with conventional physiotherapy.