Peer-To-Peer Amputee Program Launches in Vietnam

Pham Qui Thi, Ban Advocate, presenting peer-to-peer Mirror Therapy with upper limb amputees

 With a donation of 20 table-top mirrors, ETPP ToolKits translated into Vietnamese and pain scales from End The Pain Project as well as the joint sponsorship of Handicap International and Project Renew, a mirror therapy workshop for twenty amputees in Hai Lang district, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam was kicked off on December 18, 2014.

Cluster munitions survivor Pham Quy Thi presented the concept of mirror therapy at home, followed by an actual mirror therapy session that lasted for 20 minutes supported by Pham Quy Thi and Nguyen Thanh Phu of the Project Renew Mine Action Visitor Center.

The participants were divided into two groups, one with leg amputations, the other with arm amputations.

 four out of the five upper limb amputee participants had positive feedback. They can really feel their missing fingers moving exactly like what existed before.

Lower limb amputee concentrating on a reflection of his intact leg

A man whose leg was amputated, said  he really could see his missing leg in the mirror after many years, and felt as if he can walk with balance.

Only in one case, a woman reported that she could not feel anything.  Later, she said that she misunderstood what the team had told her. Instead of concentrating on the reflected image of her leg, she just looked at her intact leg. It was concluded that this was the reason why,she did not get any reaction during the session.

Participants of the Mirror Therapy Workshop with instructors Mr. Nguyen and Mr. Pham

All the participants were very happy and and committed to following mirror therapy sessions  at home for one month.

Spa Hotel Terme Practioners Qualify For MT Certification

Jasmin Avdović leading Mirror Therapy Workshop for Spa Hotel Terme Employees

In cooperation with End The Pain Project, licensed educator Jasmin Avdović held a full-day Mirror Therapy Workshop for ten professional employees of the Spa Hotel Terme in Sarajevo on November 29, 2014.

 

The ten students successfully trained in the application of mirror therapy techniques received certification to practice these skills and train other therapists. Those who were approved and issued certificates:

Sanela Sadikovic, Haris Kapetanovic, Goran Bogeljic, Alen Raonic, Muamer Custovic, Sead Kojic, Edita Rizvic, Mersiha Čavčić, Tanja Umicevic, Aida Deception.

Mirror Therapy Training Workshop Held 11/ 22/ 14 in Vitez, Bosnia

Jasmin Avdovic of Mirror Adria Leading Vitez Mirror Therapy Training Workshop

On November 22, 2014, the medieval old town of Vitez, Bosnia was the setting for the Physiotherapy Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (UFFBiH) practical seminar that included a two-hour Mirror Therapy (MT) Training Workshop.

Participants at Vitez MT Training Workshop

Seventy-seven physiotherapy professionals attended the MT Training Workshop led by Jasmin Avdovic of the Mirror Adria organization, coming away with great enthusiasm for the simple, cost-effective therapy.

An all-day MT Training Workshop in December 2014, is under consideration by the Aquaterm Thermal Spa, Olovo, Bosnia for its employees. The Spa, which maintains several hundred beds, says the majority of their clients are persons with stroke and hemiparesis, both of which can be aided by Mirror Therapy.

In April 2015, Avdovic is scheduled to lead MT Training Workshops in the country of Montenegro.

MIrror Therapy Presented At 1st International Physiotherapy Congress in Montenegro by Jasmin Avdovic

Jasmin Avdovic training Congress participant

Mirror Therapy trainer Jasmin Avdovic from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, presented a one hour Mirror Therapy workshop as part of the official program of The 1st International Physiotherapy Congress on 10/09/14 at Institute Dr.Simo Milosevic in Igalo, Montenegro. The Institute, one of the largest and the most famous institutions for multidisciplinary spa treatment on the Balkan peninsula, is a pioneer of modern physical and preventive medicine, rehabilitation, talasotherapy and wellness and a leading international rehabilitation center.


Over 120 Congress participants were introduced to the Mirror Therapy technique by Avdovic through interactive presentations and demonstrations that allowed participants to feel for themselves the basic principles of Mirror Therapy and body reactions to it.

Besides the large number of health professionals attending this workshop, national physiotherapy associations and certain health institutions from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, United Kingdom and others participated as official representatives of their national associations. Many representatives expressed interest in organizing full-day Mirror Therapy workshops.

Mirror therapy in the Balkans is important because of the high number of limb amputations, primarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as land mine fields were the worst  in world, followed by Croatia and Kosovo.

Jasmin Avdovic also explored the importance of using Mirror therapy for stroke, aneurism, traumatic brain injuries and others neurological disorders and conditions) with the participants. This Mirror Therapy workshop successfully left a huge imprint for future MT education in south-east Europe.

Video of Mirror Therapy Workshop August 20, 2014, Gihembe Refugee Camp, Rwanda

This video of the Mirror Therapy Workshop held on August 20, 2014 at Gihembe Refugee Camp, Rwanda is conducted in Rwandan.

However, enthusiasm for the procedure is captured on the faces of the participants.

Vietnamese Amputee Demonstrates Effective Mirror Therapy at 5th Annual Cluster Munitions Convention in Costa Rica September 5, 2014

Credit: Thao Griffiths

Pham Quy Thi who lost his right hand and part of his right arm to a hidden landmine explosion, made the long journey from Vietnam to the Costa Rican Cluster Munitions Convention to demonstrate the use of ETPP Mirror Therapy as a means to diminish or end Phantom Limb Pain for amputees. Mr. Pham traveled under the auspices of Project Renew, Dong Ha, Quang Tri, Vietnam.  

Credit: Thao Griffiths

Mr. Pham's demonstration totally captivated the attention of the Meeting of States delegates who attended his side event at the Convention on September 5, 2014. For further information about Mr. Pham shedding 36 years of Phantom Limb Pain through Mirror Therapy, please refer to the blog of December 5, 2013.

Attendees at ETPP Mirror Therapy Workshop at Gihembe Refugee Camp, Rwanda

On August 20, 2014, a Mirror Therapy Workshop led by ETPP Representative, Jean Luc Ngarambe (far left) was held at the Gihembe Refugee Camp in Rwanda.

The Workshop was attended by fifteen amputees and ten family members who will act as coaches for their kin in home-based therapy procedures.

Amputee and Family Member Coach

The participants, Rwandan refugees from the Congo, were each given a mirror and guided through a Mirror Therapy session by Jean Luc Ngarambe.

Upper Limb Amputee Involved in Mirror Therapy

The amputees expressed gratitude for this focus on relief of existing Phantom Limb Pain and planned to follow the thirty-day schedule faithfully. Their outcome will be posted in October.

Lower Limb Amputee Involved in Mirror Therapy