Effect of Limb Massage and Exercises on Phantom Limb Pain among Amputee Patients | ||
| Alexandria Scientific Nursing Journal | ||
| Volume 18, Issue 2, December 2016, Pages 127-136 PDF (186.99 K) | ||
| Document Type: Research articles | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/asalexu.2016.208678 | ||
| Author | ||
| Nassim Samir Saker* | ||
| Adult Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tishreen University, Syria | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Phantom limb pain is experienced when the brain sends pain signals to limbs that are not there. Ongoing military conflicts, motor vehicle crashes and machinery accidents can cause traumatic injuries requiring amputation. Regardless of the cause of the injury, traumatic amputations result in a complex pain management issues. In addition, the postamputation pain can influence patients’ mobility, sleep, and overall quality of life, despite the abundance of literature on phantom limb pain; there remains no clear consensus on the mechanisms of the disorder and best method of management. Objective: Determine the effect of limb massage and range of motion exercises on phantom limb pain among amputee patients. Setting: The study was carried out in Tishreen University Hospital, Lattakia, Syria. Subjects: The study comprised 30 adult male patients with amputee limb (upper or lower) aged 20-60 years. Tools: Socio-demographic and Clinical Data Structured Interview Schedule and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Pain Scale (S-LANSS). Results: Results of the present study revealed that the implemented range of motion exercises and limb massage improved significantly the patients' phantom limb pain, whereby the mean score percent changes after exercises and massage was 26±2.35 percentage, and the LANSS mean score decreased from 14±2.569 to 10±3.288. A statistical significant relation was noted between LANSS mean score and injury site and injury duration (P=0.056, P=0.049 respectively). Conclusion: Range of motion exercises and limb massage improved pain level among amputee patients. Recommendations: Based on the results the researcher recommended incorporating non-pharmacological methods like limb range of motion exercises and residual limb massage to relieve phantom limb pain. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Phantom limb pain; Exercises; Massage | ||
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