Investigating the efficacy of a virtual mirror box in treating phantom limb pain in a sample of chronic sufferers

This paper describes a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of using immersive virtual reality (IVR) to treat phantom limb pain. This work builds upon prior research using a mirror box (in which the amputee sees a mirror image of their remaining anatomical limb in the phenomenal space of their amputated limb) to induce vivid sensations of movement originating from the muscles and joints of their phantom limb and to relieve pain. The IVR system likewise transposes movements of amputees’ anatomical limbs into movements of a virtual limb. Participants used the IVR system on a weekly basis over a 2.5 month period. Because of the small sample size (n = 5), the primary focus here is on a qualitative analysis of interview data with each participant throughout the study. We argue that the findings of this work make a case for proof of principle for this approach for phantom pain treatment.