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Reduced head steadiness in whiplash compared with non-traumatic neck pain

Abstract

Objective: While sensorimotor alterations have been observed in patients with neck pain, it is uncertain whether such changes distinguish whiplash-associated disorders from chronic neck pain without trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate head steadiness during isometric neck flexion in subjects with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), those with chronic non-traumatic neck pain and healthy subjects. Associations with fatigue and effects of pain and dizziness were also investigated. Methods: Head steadiness in terms of head motion velocity was compared in subjects with whiplash (n=59), non-traumatic neck pain (n=57) and healthy controls (n=57) during 2 40-s isometric neck flexion tests; a high load test and a low load test. Increased velocity was expected to reflect decreased head steadiness. Results: The whiplash group showed significantly decreased head steadiness in the low load task compared with the other 2 groups. The difference was explained largely by severe levels of neck pain and dizziness. No group differences in head steadiness were found in the high load task. Conclusion: Reduced head steadiness during an isometric holding test was observed in a group of patients with whiplash-associated disorders. Decreased head steadiness was related to severe pain and dizziness.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

  • Astrid Woodhouse
  • Pål Liljebäck
  • Ottar Vasseljen

Affiliation

  • SINTEF
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Year

2010

Published in

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ISSN

1650-1977

Volume

42

Issue

1

Page(s)

35 - 41

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository