Rehabilitation for Whiplash Associated Disorders

Plain-language summary

Individuals (n=180) with subacute (\<1 month, \>3 months) WAD grade I and II with medium to high-risk symptoms of working age will be randomized into three groups with block randomization in a prospective, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Two primary intervention groups (A and B) will receive manual therapy (MT) in the same out-patient clinic. In addition, group A will receive a remote, novel, computer-based cervical kinaesthetic exercise program starting at visit two, whereby quality and quantity of exercise performance, as well as compliance (frequency and duration), will be registered into the physical therapy clinic's system for evaluation. Group B will receive neck exercises (not computer-based) provided by the corresponding physical therapist. Group A will continue remote exercise therapy until 6 months post baseline measurements regardless of whether they are still being treated in-clinic or discharged. Hypothesis 1.a.: Internet-based neck-specific CKE combined with in-clinic manual therapy and exercises will be superior to manual therapy and exercises alone at a physiotherapy clinic (i.e., treatment A is superior to treatment B) for self-reported and measured (movement performance) outcome measures. Hypothesis 1.b.: Improvements in self-reported outcomes will positively correlate with outcomes of movement performance testing, as will the pre- to post-intervention changes from baseline to follow-up assessments. The groups will be compared to a "treatment as usual" group (C). Objective measures include measurements for motor control, proprioception, and cervical range of motion. Neck disability and pain intensity, general health, self-perceived handicap, and physical, emotional and functional difficulties due to dizziness will be measured using questionnaires. Short-term effects will be measured at 10-12 weeks and long-term effects at 6- and 12-months post baseline measurements. Hypothesis 2.a.: Participants of groups A and B will improve significantly more than those in group C for subjective and objective outcome measures.

Who can participate

What they're measuring

Trial details