Abstract

Mirror therapy was initially described for use in amputees who experienced phantom limb pain. Phantom limb syndrome is the ability to feel sensations and even pain in a limb or limbs that no longer exist. The objective of this short communication is to highlight the benefits of this lesser known mode of management used for the purpose of rehabilitation of patients who have had loss of function of a part or of the body part per se. METHODOLOGY: Literature search was carried out to trace the evolution of mirror therapy and summarise the uses of this therapy in different types of conditions. DISCUSSION: Although the painful symptoms of phantom limb syndrome resolve on their own in some patients, other patients may experience severe chronic pain. This may be controlled by drugs, hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation, and biofeedback. Mirror therapy appears to re-program the brain's pain circuits into thinking that the painful injury is no longer present. CONCLUSION: Over decades, the uses of mirror therapy have been extended successfully to stroke rehabilitation, complex regional pain syndrome, limb rehabilitation and neuropathic pain1. Besides, it is also proving beneficial for patients suffering unilateral neglect after stroke, in helping relieve phantom limb pain suffered by victims of earthquake as well as to soothe arthritis pain. Mirror therapy is an initial step toward the development of therapeutic targets for technical interventions including brain computer interfaces that are aimed at ameliorating the negative effects which are associated with limbs that are impaired or missing

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