Dear participant,
Using PAMELA on your own
After an amputation, it is common to feel discomfort or pain in the missing limb (phantom limb pain), the residual limb (stump), and other areas such as the back, hips, or intact limbs.
PAMELA offers non-medication approaches that may help you manage these sensations and improve comfort in daily life. The app is made for independent use, with exercises, educational materials, and relaxation techniques you can practise at your own pace.
What the PAMELA app offers
The app is organised into several modules.
Education & Stump Care
- Information about amputation and residual limb care
- Stump, strengthening and mobility exercises
- Stump identification activities
Meditation & Relaxation
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Body awareness and body-scan exercises
- Guided imagery and relaxation techniques
Graded Motor Imagery
- Exercises that help the nervous system adapt after amputation
Augmented Reality & Mirror Therapy
- Visual exercises that use movement illusions to change pain perception
How to access the app
Download PAMELA from the App Store or Google Play. You can also find it by typing routine health into the search field — no quotation marks needed.
- The app is available in Ukraine only.
- The first screen will ask for your consent to use the app.
Download PAMELA
How to use the app
10–60 minutes a day
Short, frequent sessions — for example 10 minutes several times a day — are often more effective than long, infrequent ones.
Progress through levels
Exercises are organised in levels (1–3/4). Start at level 1 and move up gradually, repeating an exercise several times before advancing. Don't rush from one level to the next.
Follow an 8-week plan
Choose a program below and pick the modules for the current week. The order and duration don't matter, and you need not do every module each session.
Proposed 8-week schedules
Two programs to choose from. Aim to carry out Stump Care every day. The order and duration of exercises don't matter, and you don't need to do every module each session.
Gentle pace
When you wish to progress at a gentle pace. Go at a pace you feel comfortable.
- Body awareness
- Stump identification
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Imagination
- Body awareness
- Stump identification
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Scar mobilization
- Body awareness
- Stump identification
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 1
- Scar mobilization
- Desensitization
- Mirror therapy introduction
- Strengthening exercises
- Stump massage
- Body awareness
- Stump identification
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Scar mobilization
- Desensitization
- Mirror therapy, Level 1
- Strengthening exercises
- Stump massage
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Scar mobilization
- Desensitization
- Strengthening exercises, Level 2
- Stump massage
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Scar mobilization
- Desensitization
- Mirror therapy, Level 2
- Strengthening exercises, Level 2
- Stump massage
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Scar mobilization
- Desensitization
- Mirror therapy, Level 2
- Strengthening exercises, Level 2
- Stump massage
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Scar mobilization
- Desensitization
- Mirror therapy, Level 3
- Strengthening exercises, Level 3
- Stump massage
Challenge yourself
When you wish to challenge yourself. Go at a pace you feel comfortable.
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Strengthening exercises
- Scar mobilization
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Strengthening exercises
- Scar mobilization
- Mirror therapy introduction
- Desensitization
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Strengthening exercises
- Scar mobilization
- Mirror therapy, Level 1
- Stump massage
- Desensitization
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Strengthening exercises, Level 2
- Scar mobilization
- Mirror therapy, Level 1
- Stump massage
- Desensitization
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Mirror therapy, Level 2
- Strengthening exercises, Level 3
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Mirror therapy, Level 3
- Strengthening exercises, Level 3
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Mirror therapy, Level 3
- Strengthening exercises, Level 3
- Body awareness
- Increase body mobility
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Lateralization
- Imagination, Level 2
- Mirror therapy, Level 3
- Strengthening exercises, Level 3
Important to know
Important recommendations
- ! Do not exercise beyond your own pain threshold.
- ! Mild discomfort or fatigue may occur — but stop if pain increases or you feel distressed.
- ! Keep a pain diary if you find it helpful. This is optional.
Side effects
The app does not involve medication, so medication-related side effects are not expected. You can continue your regular medications while using the app.
A note on mirror therapy
Mirror therapy creates the illusion of the missing limb. Some people notice strong emotions, sensory changes (the limb feeling shorter or longer), dizziness, nausea, or sweating — usually when first starting, and usually temporary. If you feel uncomfortable, stop mirror therapy and use other features of the app.
Useful resources in the app
- Introductory videos for each module
- Demonstrations of exercises
- Explanations about phantom limb pain and stump pain
Watching these videos before starting a module may help you feel more confident using the app on your own.
Not a medical device
The PAMELA app does not replace professional medical care. If you need additional help managing amputation-related pain or discomfort, please consult your healthcare provider to find the approach that best suits your individual needs.