Changes of Pain Sensitivity During Rehabilitation of Patients Suffering From Whiplash Associated Disorders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study investigates the sensory profile of people suffering from whiplash associated disorders (WAD) during rehabilitation.

Detailed Description
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Altered pain sensitivity is commonly reported in WAD populations when compared to a healthy control group but how/if this changes over time during rehabilitation is unclear. This study investigates the effect of 2 weeks rehabilitation protocol on pain sensitivity in a group suffering from WAD compared to a healthy control group.

Official Title
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Whiplash Associated Disorders - Sensory Changes During Rehabilitation

Conditions
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Whiplash, Whiplash Injury, Neck Pain, Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Conservative rehabilitation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: WAD No more than 3 weeks since MVA/WAD WAD grade II defined by Quebec Task Force classification Controls • Being healthy and free from any pain specific to the low back and/or in general Exclusion Criteria: Applies for both groups: Pain related to a specific pathology such as spinal stenosis, metastasis, fracture, nerve lesions or injuries to the brain etc. Previous painful condition (including neck pain) in the previous 6 months. Prior surgery in the neck or shoulder area. Radiculopathy. Multiple painful sites/areas unrelated to the neck pain. Operation to the spine. Any neurological or systemic diseases which can affect the outcome measures. Pregnancy. Lack of ability to cooperate. Additional exclusion criteria for Controls: • No current or previous history of on-going pain, defined as pain in the neck/shoulder region and/or elsewhere during the past 6 months.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Acute Whiplash Associated Disorders<br>People suffering from acute WAD at the time of recruitment. | Other: Conservative rehabilitation<br>* WAD participants underwent 2-weeks rehabilitation.<br>|
| Healthy controls<br>Participants with no neck pain during the past 6 months, chronic pain or other medical disorders relevant to this study. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Pressure Pain Thresholds | Changes in pressure pain thresholds will be determined with pressure algometry bilaterally over the neck and leg. PPT is defined as the exact time point where the pressure is first being perceived at painful. | Baseline, 2 weeks, 6 months | 
| Changes in Conditioned Pain Modulation | Changes in condition pain modulation (CPM) will be measures by recording PPT bilaterally over the neck and leg prior to and following a painful stimuli (a pressure cuff is inflated around the upper arm to create the conditioned stimulus). CPM value is calculated by subtracting raw PPT (without painful stimuli) from PPT under the conditioned stimulus. | Baseline, 2 weeks, 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Neck Disability Index (NDI) | A validated and reliable questionnaire that estimates the impact of neck pain on normal daily activities (self-rated disability). NDI consists of 10 dimensions that all are score from 0-5 giving a maximum score of 50. The overall score indicates the level of disability. Below 5 = no disability whereas increased scores indicates increased levels of disability. | Baseline, 2 weeks, 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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WAD, rehabilitation, whiplash, neck pain, pain sensitivity