Phantom Exercise for Lower Limb Amputees

phantom limb exercises (that is, active imaginal efforts to move the phantom), under the assumption that the neural pathways involved in performing actual movements are activated when using one's imagination to move the phantom extremity

"Mirror therapy uses a flat mirror placed parasagittally in front of the patient's body with the reflective surface toward the sound limb so that the amputee sees the reflection of the sound limb in the mirror \[Figure 1\]. This reflection mimics the amputated limb, and with the movement of the intact limb, the mirror provides an optical illusion that the phantom limb is moving simultaneously.~Equipment:~Therapy mirror: A standing mirror (130 cm × 46 cm) with wooden frame and base (62 cm × 65 cm) Routine physiotherapy The general exercise programme consisted of strengthening, stretching, dynamic, and isometric exercises based on the level of amputation and their assessment results. Participants allocated to the control group were advised to continue rehabilitation at their respective physiotherapy out-patient departments as frequently as possible. Participants were given a diary and advised to record their activities, specifying the nature, frequency and duration of each activity"