The potency of optical and augmented reality mirror boxes in amputees and people with intact limbs

Abstract

Phantom limb pain is the distressing problem experienced by many amputees, defined as a painful sensation perceived in the area of the missing body part. Phantom limb pain can be very severe and disabling. It continues to be experienced by two thirds of amputees, eight years post-amputation. Augmented reality has the ability to change a person’s sensory experience. More applications of this technology are gradually being utilised for therapeutic purposes as augmented environments can be used both to distract the attention of patients from excruciatingly painful experiences and to promote cortical re-mapping at the site from where the pain arises. Using Augmented Reality, an environment has been created where upper limb amputees can both view and control motion of their phantom limb to help alleviate phantom limb pain.