House MD: mirror therapy for phantom pain

In one of the series' neatest (and most unhinged) scene, House sedates and ties up his neighbor Murphy -- only to cure him from his phantom pain:

Phantom Limb Pain | House M.D..This "miracle" treatment is one of House's most memorable -- given its deceptively simple setup (a cardboard box and a mirror) and the instant and total relief brought.

I always wondered how scientifically truthful it all was, so I decided to look it up.

It turns out the idea has been around since at least 1996.

Does it work? Over the years, it sounds like there's been some back and forth -- with some studies claiming mirror therapy does work, and others saying it doesn't.

This seems to be the latest review study on the mirror therapy. From the credo summary:

The review counted 21 of 32 studies as effective, meaning pain fell by at least 50% or 2 points on a 0–10 scale. Eleven studies did not meet that threshold. Treatment varied in setting, teaching, movement technique, exercise delivery, session length, frequency, and overall duration; most features appeared in both outcome groups. A 15-minute daily session for four weeks was common among successful studies, but was not established as best.

From what I gather, it sounds like yes mirror therapy does work, and is commonly practiced.

But the immediate and dramatic effects on House are well -- a dramatisation.