PHANTOM LIMB PAIN: THE ROLE OF NURSING IN THE CARE OF AMPUTATED PATIENTS: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a frequent and complex condition in patients who have undergone amputation, characterized by the perception of pain in a non-existent limb. It is a multifactorial phenomenon involving neurophysiological changes, particularly related to brain plasticity, as well as emotional and psychosocial factors, directly impacting quality of life and the rehabilitation process. This study aimed to analyze the role of nursing in the management of phantom limb pain, highlighting the main interventions used in clinical practice. This is an integrative literature review based on studies published between 1987 and 2025. The results show that nursing plays a fundamental role in systematic pain assessment, implementation of therapeutic interventions, and emotional support. Non-pharmacological interventions such as mirror therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, relaxation techniques, and psychosocial support stood out, along with pharmacological approaches, as effective strategies for pain reduction and quality of life improvement. It is concluded that nursing care, combined with humanized and evidence-based practices, significantly contributes to the control of phantom limb pain and to the comprehensive rehabilitation of amputee patients.