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

This paper describes a pilot clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of using immersive virtual reality (IVR) as a rehabilitative technology for phantom limb pain experienced by amputees. This work builds upon prior research which has used simple devices such as the mirror box (where 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 transposes movements of amputees’ anatomical limbs into movements of a virtual limb which is presented in the phenomenal space of their phantom limb. 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.