A Study of the Amputee Experience of Viewing Self in the Mirror.
Wyona Freysteinson, Lisa Thomas, Amy Sebastian-Deutsch and 5 others
PMID 26879100WHAT IT FOUND
Amputees described first mirror views as shock and anguish.
They recommended nurses offer mirrors gradually, with support and privacy, and said mirrors helped them recognize the limb, check skin, and watch gait. These practices were not tested.
Key findings
01Participants described first mirror views as shock, anguish, and a need for support rather than chance or public exposure.
02They recommended a staged mirror introduction: a small mirror for the limb or incision first, then a full-length mirror, with choice of privacy and a trusted person present.
03Participants said mirrors were practical tools for checking wounds and residual limb and for observing gait and balance, but therapists rarely encouraged home use.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Small sample and single southern US city limit generalizability. Participants reflected on past events, so memories may have been influenced by time and group discussion. The study did not test mirror interventions. It is qualitative, so it reports themes and suggestions, not effects.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the staged mirror approach as proven to improve body image, wound care, or distress. This study describes amputees' experiences and suggestions; it did not test whether these practices work.