In the mirror treatment of phantom limb pain, the visual illusion

a. acts to relax and comfort the amputee.

b. tricks the brain into thinking the missing limb still exists.

c. focuses attention away from the pain.

d. puts the amputee into a hypnotic state.

b.

Explanation:

In the mirror treatment of phantom limb pain, the visual illusion tricks the brain into thinking it is controlling the amputated limb. The mirror creates a visual stimuli for the patient, which he sees his amputated limb as being there. This tricks the individual's brain into thinking that the limb is still there and intact which in term alleviates the phantom limb pain that they are experiencing.

B. Tricks the brain into thinking the missing limb still exists.

Explanation:

This particular movement in the VI (visual Illusion) of the affected limb generates positive feedback to the motor cortex, which might in turn interrupt the pain cycle.

Some studies detailed with the effectiveness of mirror therapy as a pain management intervention for patients with PLP exist. It was also denoted that mirror therapy was used to treat PLP in a patient with a lower limb amputation (amputation through the hip due to necrotizing fasciitis) who presented PLP at the time of treatment.