The use of manual therapy by amputees with phantom limb pain; a UK based questionnaire study
Item
- Title
- The use of manual therapy by amputees with phantom limb pain; a UK based questionnaire study
- Title
- The use of manual therapy by amputees with phantom limb pain; a UK based questionnaire study
- Author(s)
- Clayton Katie
- Abstract
- Objective: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the range of manual treatments UK amputees have tried for their phantom limb pain (PLP) and the patient-rated effectiveness of those treatments. The secondary aim was to investigate any perceived barriers to accessing treatment. Method: A cross sectional postal questionnaire survey was sent to leaders of amputee support groups to be made available to their members (n=171). Results: The response rate was 23% (n=40). The three most commonly used treatments for PLP were: medication (42.5%); physiotherapy (30%) and massage (27.5%) with a helpfulness rating (using a 0-4 scale) of 2.5; 2 and 2 respectively. Out of the 60% that had discussed their PLP with their GP the predominant response was prescribed medication (47.8%) and 26.1% found their GP to be unhelpful or lacking knowledge. The main barrier to accessing treatments was a lack of information or knowledge, reported by 7 of 22 participants, and 11 reported no barriers. Conclusion: Manual therapy, and therefore osteopathy, has a role to play in the treatment of amputees with PLP. The main barriers to treatment were a lack of knowledge and information regarding possible treatments for PLP which should be highlighted as an area for development in the healthcare profession. Further research is needed to improve treatment allocation for amputees with PLP.
- Abstract
- Objective: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the range of manual treatments UK amputees have tried for their phantom limb pain (PLP) and the patient-rated effectiveness of those treatments. The secondary aim was to investigate any perceived barriers to accessing treatment. Method: A cross sectional postal questionnaire survey was sent to leaders of amputee support groups to be made available to their members (n=171). Results: The response rate was 23% (n=40). The three most commonly used treatments for PLP were: medication (42.5%); physiotherapy (30%) and massage (27.5%) with a helpfulness rating (using a 0-4 scale) of 2.5; 2 and 2 respectively. Out of the 60% that had discussed their PLP with their GP the predominant response was prescribed medication (47.8%) and 26.1% found their GP to be unhelpful or lacking knowledge. The main barrier to accessing treatments was a lack of information or knowledge, reported by 7 of 22 participants, and 11 reported no barriers. Conclusion: Manual therapy, and therefore osteopathy, has a role to play in the treatment of amputees with PLP. The main barriers to treatment were a lack of knowledge and information regarding possible treatments for PLP which should be highlighted as an area for development in the healthcare profession. Further research is needed to improve treatment allocation for amputees with PLP.
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2011
- Date Submitted
- 3.2.2012 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Pub-Identifier
- 15046
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Osteopathy, phantom limb pain, amputee, manual therapy, barriers
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Clayton Katie, “The use of manual therapy by amputees with phantom limb pain; a UK based questionnaire study”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1790