A controlled pilot study of the utility of mirror...

[bernard]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12509620

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2003 Jan;42(1):97-101.
A controlled pilot study of the utility of mirror visual feedback in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (type 1).

McCabe CS, Haigh RC, Ring EF, Halligan PW, Wall PD, Blake DR.

The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RL, UK. candy.mccabe@rnhrd-tr.swest.nhs.uk

BACKGROUND: We assessed mirror visual feedback (MVF) to test the hypothesis that incongruence between motor output and sensory input produces complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) (type 1) pain. METHODS: Eight subjects (disease duration > or =3 weeks to < or =3 yr) were studied over 6 weeks with assessments including two controls (no device and viewing a non-reflective surface) and the intervention (MVF). Pain severity and vasomotor changes were recorded. RESULTS: The control stages had no analgesic effect. MVF in early CRPS (< or =8 weeks) had an immediate analgesic effect and in intermediate disease (< or =1 yr) led to a reduction in stiffness. At 6 weeks, normalization of function and thermal differences had occurred (early and intermediate disease). No change was found in chronic CRPS. CONCLUSIONS: In early CRPS (type 1), visual input from a moving, unaffected limb re-establishes the pain-free relationship between sensory feedback and motor execution. Trophic changes and a less plastic neural pathway preclude this in chronic disease.

PMID: 12509620 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

A controlled pilot study of the utility of mirror visual feedback in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome (type 1) PDF (http://www.somasimple.com/pdf_files/mirror_crps.pdf)

[bernard]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15283449

Novartis Found Symp. 2004;260:154-74; discussion 174-8, 277-9.

Phantoms in rheumatology.
McCabe CS, Haigh RC, Shenker NG, Lewis J, Blake DR.

The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Upper Borough Walls, UK.

This paper examines rheumatology pain and how it may relate to amputee phantom limb pain (PLP), specifically as experienced in rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Clinical findings, which suggest cortical sensory reorganization, are discussed and illustrated for each condition. It is proposed that this sensory reorganization generates pain and altered body image in rheumatology patients in the same manner as has previously been hypothesized for amputees with PLP; that is via a motor/sensory conflict. The correction of this conflict through the provision of appropriate visual sensory input, using a mirror, is tested in a population of patients with CRPS. Its analgesic efficacy is assessed in those with acute, intermediate and chronic disease. Finally, the hypothesis is taken to its natural conclusion whereby motor/sensory conflict is artificially generated in healthy volunteers and chronic pain patients to establish whether sensory disturbances can be created where no pain symptoms exists and exacerbated when it is already present. The findings of our studies support the hypothesis that a mismatch between motor output and sensory input creates sensory disturbances, including pain, in rheumatology patients and healthy volunteers. We propose the term 'ominory' to describe the central monitoring mechanism and the resultant sensory disturbances as a dissensory state.

Publication Types:

* Review
* Review, Tutorial


PMID: 15283449 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Diane]

Ooh, these are delicious.
Diane