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Phantom phenomena - Their perceived qualities and consequences from the patient's perspective
Berit Björkman1, Iréne Lund2, Staffan Arnér1
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
Scandinavian Journal of Pain
|June 20, 2018
Summary
Phantom sensations and pain after amputation are often agonizing but not always a hindrance to recovery. Understanding these phantom phenomena involves individual, sociocultural, and explanatory factors, not just medical information.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Phantom limb phenomena are complex and poorly understood.
- Prevalence and suffering associated with phantom phenomena lack clear interpretation.
- Limited knowledge exists on how amputees perceive the meaning and consequences of phantom phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how individuals describe perceived phantom phenomena.
- To understand how phantom phenomena experience affects life one month post-amputation/mastectomy.
- To explore the qualities and impact of phantom phenomena in amputees.
Main Methods:
- Interviews with 28 individuals post-amputation or mastectomy.
- Focused, narrative-oriented interviews transcribed verbatim.
- Content analysis of interview transcripts.
Main Results:
- Phantom pain and sensations described in sensory-discriminative, motivational-affective, and cognitive-evaluative dimensions.
- Phantom sensations were often more agonizing than phantom pain.
- Despite high intensity and annoyance, most felt phantom phenomena were not a hindrance to regaining ordinary life.
- High hindrance was linked to high annoyance, particularly for phantom sensations.
- Sociocultural factors, pre-operative information, and understanding of phantom phenomena influenced hindrance perception.
- Medical explanations alone did not suffice for understanding individual phantom phenomena.
Conclusions:
- Individual approach to phantom phenomena involves evaluation and selection.
- Experience and understanding of phantom phenomena have sociocultural dimensions.
- Individualized communication and a meaning-centered approach are crucial for clinicians.
- Findings may inform understanding of other iatrogenic pain conditions.