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Abstract
Introduction. Phantom limb pain syndrome (PLP) is a com-mon condition following limb amputation. Cur-rent literature typically describes patient com-plaints as a list of symptoms without systematic categorization. It should be noted that studies on PLP pathogenesis indicate that symptom se-verity increases with reduced cerebral cortex functionality, which can also occur due to age-related changes in the central nervous system.
Aim. To evaluate the relationship between patient age and PLP manifestations following limb amputation, and to assess the efficacy of mirror therapy.
Materials and Methods. The study employed semi-structured interviews and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Mirror therapy was used as an intervention. The sam-ple consisted of 45 patients who underwent am-putation due to malignant neoplasms of bones, soft tissues, or skin, receiving treatment at the N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology.
Results. 1. Patients aged 21–37 years reported neuropathic-type pain; 2. Patients aged 42–72 years experi-enced fragmentary phantom limb sensations with mild pain; 3. Patients aged 76–79 years reported various tactile sensations; 4. Analysis of PLP severity by age: mean VAS score = 5.844, correlation coefficient (r) = -0.0821; at p = 0.05, no statistically significant correlation was found; 5. Assessment of mirror therapy ef-ficacy by age: mean patient age = 54.756 years; mean pain reduction after first session = 48.422%, r = -0.297; at p = 0.05, a trend toward reduced efficacy with increasing age was ob-served.
Conclusion. 1. In patients under 40 years, sensations of a complete phantom limb are common, with pain characterized by sharp, sudden onset. Phantom mobility is also reported. In patients over 40, the phantom is typically immobile and frag-mented, with the most distressing sensation be-ing the fixed position rather than pain. In elder-ly patients, only isolated tactile sensations are observed; 2. No correlation was found between age and PLP severity intensity. VAS scores can be equally high across all age groups; 3. A neg-ative trend was observed between patient age and mirror therapy efficacy.
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