Utilization of limb orientations for a home-based immersive virtual reality rehabilitation system to treat phantom limb pain

Abstract

The growing potential of virtual reality (VR) systems presents an immense opportunity for amputee patients who are suffering from the medical condition which causes sensation of pain at the location of the missing limb called Phantom Limb Pain (PLP). The occurrence rate of PLP is reported 60–80% [1] among amputee patients and treatment methods vary between physical therapy, surgery and medication. One of the proven treatment methods is “Mirror Therapy” [3] and it is applied by visually projecting a healthy limb on the amputated part with the help of a mirror to create the perception of presence. Similar approach can also be represented in a virtual environment and immersion of VR can enhance the rehabilitation experience. Therefore, we aimed to improve the mirror therapy treatment by a VR application and to overcome the physical limitations by presenting potentially engaging activities with a way to treat double-limb amputees.