Though the adverse influence of chronic pain on function and psychological health in the general population is well understood, the relationship between phantom limb pain after limb loss with function and psychological health, however, is less clear. Researchers conducted a study to assess the influences of phantom limb pain presence and intensity on function and psychosocial health in individuals with lower-limb loss.
A total of 102 individuals with major lower-limb loss completed a study-specific questionnaire on the presence and intensity of their phantom limb pain. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 questionnaire was also administered.
Results showed that 64 percent reported phantom limb pain. Individuals with versus without phantom limb pain demonstrated significantly greater sleep disturbances, whereas the differences in function, fatigue, pain interference, depressive symptoms, anxiety, or ability to participate in social roles and activities were not statistically different between groups. Of note, mean scores for many of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 short forms were similar to the mean of the general population.
The study’s authors wrote that the outcomes indicate a lack of meaningful associations between phantom limb pain presence or intensity with function and psychosocial health among individuals with lower-limb loss, and that the findings conflict with previous research suggesting an adverse relationship between phantom limb pain, function, and psychosocial health after limb loss.
