《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2021, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (11): 1340-1345.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2021.11.016

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Effect of Myofascial Trigger Points Electric Stimulation on Phantom Limb Pain after Lower Limb Amputation

LI Ya-xi,FEI Ruo-nan,QIN Xiu-nan,WANG Ya-ping,XIAO Yan-ying()   

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
  • Received:2021-05-13 Revised:2021-09-01 Published:2021-11-25 Online:2021-12-03
  • Contact: XIAO Yan-ying E-mail:xiaoyanying192@csu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Hunan Disabled Persons Federation Rehabilitation Research Project(2019xk009);Hunan Natural Science Foundation Youth(2018JJ3769)

Abstract:

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of myofascial trigger point electric stimulation based on mirror therapy on phantom limb pain after lower limb amputation.Methods From May to November, 2020, 50 patients with phantom limb pain after lower limb amputation were randomly divided into control group (n = 25) and experiment group (n = 25). Both groups accepted mirror therapy, while the experiment group received myofascial trigger point electric stimulation before mirror therapy, for four weeks. They were assessed with short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Timed 'Up & Go' Test (TUGT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after treatment.Results All the indexes improved in both groups after treatment (|t| > 8.210, P < 0.001), and improved more in the experiment group than in the control group (|t| > 5.103, P < 0.001), except the present pain intensity of SF-MPQ.Conclusion Mirror therapy is effective on phantom limb pain after lower limb amputation in terms of pain, sleep, anxiety and walking, and the effect could be stronger after myofascial trigger point electric stimulation.

Key words: phantom limb pain, amputation, mirror therapy, myofascial trigger point, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation