The effectiveness of graded motor imagery and its components on phantom limb pain in amputated patients: A systematic review

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) can be defined as pain in a missing part of the limb. It is reported in 50%–80% of people with amputation. Objectives: To provide an overview of the effectiveness of graded motor imagery (GMI) and the techniques which form it on PLP in amputees. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: Two authors independently selected relevant studies, screened the articles for methodological validity and risk of bias, and extracted the data. Inclusion criteria used were clinical studies, written in English or Spanish, using GMI, laterality recognition, motor imagery, mirror therapy, or a combination of some of them as an intervention in amputated patients, and one of the outcomes was PLP, and it was assessed using a validated scale. The databases used were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PEDro. Results: Fifteen studies were included in the review. After the intervention, all the groups in which the GMI or one of the techniques that comprise it was used showed decrease in PLP. Conclusion: The 3 GMI techniques showed effectiveness in decreasing PLP in amputees, although it should be noted that the application of the GMI showed better results.