Coping with amputation and phantom limb pain.
Phantom limb pain is a common, distressing phenomenon that can occur after the amputation or denervation of a part of the body. No conclusive etiological models or theories have emerged, although the problem was identified some time ago. This empirical-diagnostic study deals with correlations between coping with limb loss, body image, and the occurrence of phantom limb pain. It is based on Melzack's concept of a neuromatrix. Coping strategies were evaluated using semistructured interviews and analysis of patients' drawings of their body images. The results of the study, based on 43 amputees, show a significant association between coping strategies and pain. Patients who cope better with the loss suffer less from phantom limb pain. A difference can also be noted in subjective representation of the body image: patients suffering from phantom limb pain tend to have an image of their bodies as a complete and undamaged entity.
Pucher
I
I
Institute for Medical Psychology, Vienna, Austria. Ingeborg.Pucher@akh-wien.ac.at
Kickinger
W
W
Frischenschlager
O
O
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008959:Models, Neurological; D015588:Observer Variation; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000523:psychology*