The objective of a study conducted by researchers was to use focus groups to inform phantom limb pain assessment by exploring firsthand experiences of individuals with lower-limb amputations. Focus groups were conducted virtually across the United States. Sessions were recorded and transcribed, and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Thirteen participants were involved in one of four focus groups. Fifty-four percent were women, and the mean age of the participants was 61 years. Six themes were identified that inform measurement strategies for phantom limb pain: 1) phantom limb pain is a moving target, 2) phantom limb pain disrupts my life, 3) I make choices and trade-offs because of phantom limb pain, 4) phantom limb pain makes me feel isolated and unsure, 5) waiting out the storm, and 6) I cope with phantom limb pain by pushing forward and holding hope.
Descriptions of phantom limb pain varied between participants and from episode to episode, researchers found.
The heterogeneity of phantom limb pain presentation, intensity, frequency, duration, and interference in daily life suggested comprehensive assessment with traditional pain measures can be challenging, according to the authors, and accurate measurement of pain, specifically phantom limb pain, would facilitate development and testing of patient-specific treatments to reduce the impact of pain.
“A focus group study intended to inform phantom limb pain assessment strategies after lower limb amputation” was published in the journal Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
