Research Update
The Development of Motor Dysfunction following Whiplash injury
Pain (2003) 103:65-73; Sterlin M, Jull G, Vincenziono BThe study has provided a critical first step in understanding the processes involved in whiplash injury.? It will assist categorisation of whiplash and lay the foundation for further treatment directions.
Whiplash injuries are common and while most people recover, up to 40% may experience persistent pain and disability.?
Researchers from the Departments of Physiotherapy and Psychology at University of Queensland followed 80 whiplash-injured people from within one month of injury to six months post-injury.? A set of measures where taken, including motor and sensory impairments, as well as physiological distress.? 75% either recovered or showed residual milder symptoms at 6 months post-injury.? These patients showed early changes in cervical muscle recruitment patterns that persisted regardless of the patients? symptoms.?
Anterior View Of Cervical Spine
In comparison, 25% had poor recovery, but showed a complex picture of significant motor deficit, sensory hypersensitivity indicating underlying changes in neurobiological processing of pain and acute post traumatic stress.
Findings suggest that for optimal recovery the latter patient may require early multidisciplinary intervention including involvement by physiotherapists, medical practioners and psychologists. This research signifies the important role physiotherapists have in the differential diagnosis of whiplash injury and determining the interventions for optomising recovery and minimising chronicity.
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