Examining patient reported outcome measures for phantom limb pain: measurement use in a sample of Veterans with amputation.

Purpose: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is treated with medications and non-drug treatments. Best clinical practices for measuring treatment outcomes have not been defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the internal consistency of patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) in a sample of Veterans with lower limb amputation.

Clinician perspectives on postamputation pain assessment and rehabilitation interventions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore self-reported Veterans Affairs (VA) amputation clinician perspectives and clinical practices regarding the measurement and treatment for amputation-related pain.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey with 73 VA rehabilitation clinicians within the VA Health Care System.

Results: The most frequent clinical backgrounds of respondents included physical therapists (36%), prosthetists (32%), and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (21%).

Veteran Perspectives on Phantom Limb Pain and Non-Drug Interventions.

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) commonly occurs post-amputation and can negatively affect the daily functioning of persons with amputation. Best practices for medication and non-drug management remain unclear.

Objective: To better understand the PLP experience and patients' familiarity with treatments, phone interviews were conducted at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Regional Amputation Center in Veterans with amputations.

Strategies for graded motor imagery for clients with phantom limb pain and cognitive impairment.

Background: Individuals with amputations often experience phantom limb pain (PLP) that can limit their participation in rehabilitation, prosthesis training, desired activities, and roles. One nonpharmacological rehabilitation intervention for PLP is graded motor imagery (GMI). There are several components to GMI, including right/left discrimination or laterality, motor imagery, sensory retraining, and mirror therapy.

Telerehabilitation for Amputee Care.

Patients with amputation have unique characteristics and needs that must be considered when services are being provided through a virtual platform. The types of amputation rehabilitation services that can be provided virtually are numerous and vary from a full clinical team evaluation to individual therapy services. Whether services are being provided in person or through a virtual platform, rehabilitation of the person with amputation ideally involves a collaborative interdisciplinary team.