title: Telepain Management of Phantom Limb Pain Using Mirror Therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In response to rising healthcare costs and the social and economic burden of outpatient rehabilitation services, telepain management has emerged as an exciting alternative method of clinical care. Patients with limb amputations who experience phantom limb pain (PLP) are typically treated unsuccessfully using medications, injections, or additional surgeries. Mirror therapy is a noninvasive, cost-effective alternative to current treatment options for PLP.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 2 patients who self-administered mirror therapy at home after receiving detailed instructions from a physician by e-mail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention resulted in complete resolution of PLP. The first patient experienced a reduction in the severity and frequency of PLP episodes after 4 weeks of treatment. Pain completely resolved after an additional 4 weeks of treatment, which was restarted 4 months after the initial course of therapy. The second patient experienced complete eradication of pain after 4 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PLP relief can be obtained using home-based mirror therapy with initiation, feedback, and follow-up with healthcare professionals conducted entirely through telemedicine.
authors: 1 Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland.|2 Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Bethesda, Maryland.
authors: Ariana
authors: A
authors: Gover-Chamlou
authors: 3 U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery , Falls Church, Virginia.|4 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda, Maryland.
authors: Jack W
authors: JW
authors: Tsao
keywords: military medicine; pain management; rehabilitation; telemedicine; teleneurology