Mirror box therapy uses visual feedback from a mirror reflection of an intact limb to reduce or eliminate perceived pain in a missing limb. The technique was developed by V. S. Ramachandran and showed success in small-group studies, though larger controlled trials produced mixed results and variable efficacy. Clinical benefits have also been reported for post-stroke hemiplegia, paraparesis, and chronic limb pain from actual or missing limbs. Visual-perception changes induced by mirrored limb images appear to trigger neurological changes in the brain. Phenomenological mirroring may also facilitate observer empathy toward others' bodily experiences.
Mirror box therapy was initially developed by V. S. Ramachandran. The purpose of this new medical device was to try to reduce what was described as "phantom limb pain." Mirror box therapy is defined as a functional method for the purpose of using visual feedback of a mirror reflection of an actual limb for the specific purpose of trying to reduce and/or eliminate the perception of pain from a missing limb (Ramachandran & Rogers-Ramachandran, 1996.
Once this particular form of therapy was introduced, research indicated that it was successful in small group settings. However, there is research that indicates that in other controlled studies, where larger groups have been examined and a wide variety of "phantom limb" conditions existed, the results were not as promising. The reasons for this variation are still uncertain (Ramachandran & Rogers-Ramachandran, 1996; Rothgangel et al., 2011).
Other studies have also shown that mirror box therapy may offer clinical benefits for individuals with post-stroke hemiplegia (i.e., paralysis affecting one side of the body caused by brain damage from a stroke), paraparesis (partial weakness or impaired motor function affecting both legs), or those suffering from chronic limb pain from an actual or missing limb (Altschuler et al., 1999; Karmarkar & Lieberman, 2006)
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