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Use of Soft Cervical Collar among Whiplash Patients in Two Italian Emergency Departments Is Associated with Persistence of Symptoms: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9101363. [PMID: 34683043 PMCID: PMC8544415 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9101363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Although the use of soft cervical collars in the emergency department (ED), for whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), is controversial, it is still widely adopted. The purpose of our study was to investigate the impact of the early use of soft cervical collars on the return to the ED, within three months of a road traffic collision. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on WAD patients from two EDs in Verona (Italy). Patients in the earlier acute phase of WAD (within 48 h from the trauma) were included; those with serious conditions (WAD IV) were excluded. As an end point, we considered patients who returned to the ED complaining of WAD symptoms within three months as positive outcome for WAD persistence. Results: 2162 patients were included; of those, 85.4% (n = 1847/2162) received a soft cervical collar prescription. Further, 8.4% (n = 156/1847) of those with a soft cervical collar prescription, and 2.5% (n = 8/315) of those without a soft cervical collar (p < 0.001) returned to the ED within three months. The use of the soft cervical collar was an independent risk factor for ED return within three months, with an OR, adjusted for possible clinical confounders, equal to 3.418 (95% CI 1.653–7.069; p < 0.001). After the propensity score matching, 25.5% of the patients (n = 25/98) using the soft cervical collar returned to the ED at three months, compared to the 6.1% (n = 6/98) that did not adopt the soft cervical collar. The use of a soft cervical collar was associated with ED return with an OR = 4.314 (95% CI 2.066–11.668; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our study shows that the positioning of the soft collar in a cohort of patients with acute WAD, following a rear-end car collision, is an independent potential risk factor to the return to the ED. Clinically, the use of the collar is a non-recommended practice and seems to be related to an increased risk of delayed recovery. There is a need to inform healthcare providers involved in the ED of the aim to limit the use of the soft cervical collar. A closer collaboration between clinicians (e.g., physicians, physical therapists, nurses) is suggested in the ED. Future primary studies should determine differences between having used or not having used the collar, and compare early physical therapy in the ED compared with the utilization of the collar.
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Christensen SWM, Rasmussen MB, Jespersen CL, Sterling M, Skou ST. Soft-collar use in rehabilitation of whiplash-associated disorders - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2021; 55:102426. [PMID: 34271416 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2021.102426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active rehabilitation of Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) is favoured over passive modalities such as soft-collars. However, the effectiveness of soft-collar use remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness of soft-collar use on pain and disability in WAD. DESIGN Systematic review. METHOD Databases (AMED, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PEDro, PsycINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus) were searched for guidelines, reviews and RCTs on soft-collar use as part of WAD treatment. Reference lists of reviews and guidelines were screened for additional RCTs. Study quality was rated using the PEDro-scale and overall quality of evidence with GRADE. RESULTS Four RCTs (n = 409) of fair-good quality (PEDro-scores) were included with three using a soft collar in addition to other conservative treatment while one study compared soft-collar use to act-as-usual. All studies found that an active or act-as-usual approach was more effective in reducing pain intensity compared to soft-collar use, confirmed by meta-analysis (two RCTs with data: SMD of -0.80 (-1.20, -0.41)). No studies reported disability outcomes while contrasting results were found between groups regarding total cervical range of motion (two RCTs with data: SMD of 0.16 (-0.21, 0.54)) or rotation (two RCTs with data: SMD of 0.54 (-0.19, 1.27)). Overall quality of the evidence was low to very low. CONCLUSION All four RCTs favoured an active approach/act-as-usual over soft-collar treatment. However, due to methodological concerns and low certainty of evidence, future studies investigating soft collar use in combination with an active rehabilitation strategy for acute/subacute WAD are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffan Wittrup McPhee Christensen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7D-3, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark (UCN), Selma Lagerløfs Vej 2, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Michael Bo Rasmussen
- Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark (UCN), Selma Lagerløfs Vej 2, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Christoffer Lund Jespersen
- Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark (UCN), Selma Lagerløfs Vej 2, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Michele Sterling
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Søren Thorgaard Skou
- Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Næstved-Slagelse-Ringsted Hospitals, Region Zealand, 4200, Slagelse, Denmark
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Christensen SWM, Bellosta-López P, Doménech-García V, Herrero P, Palsson TS. Changes in Pain Sensitivity and Conditioned Pain Modulation During Recovery From Whiplash-associated Disorders. Clin J Pain 2021; 37:730-739. [PMID: 34334693 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the pain-sensory profile of patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) prior and post 2 weeks of standardized rehabilitation and after a 6-month follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-two WAD participants (grade II; 14 women) and 22 sex-matched and age-matched healthy pain-free controls were enrolled. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at local and distal muscles. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) of PPTs was assessed using cuff pressure around the upper arm. Referred area of pain following supra-threshold pressure stimulation of the infraspinatus muscle was recorded on a body chart. Psychometric variables (pain intensity, area of perceived pain, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, sleep problems, and depression level) were assessed. WAD group additionally completed the Neck Disability Index. RESULTS The WAD group demonstrated lower local PPTs compared with controls at all time points (P<0.05) and lower distal PPTs at baseline and at 2 weeks when compared with 6 months (within-group) (P<0.05). The WAD group had a reduced CPM response and larger induced referred pain areas compared with controls (P<0.05), while no within-group changes were observed at any time point. The WAD group reported higher pain intensity and perceived area of pain compared with controls at all time points (P<0.05) and a mean Neck Disability Index score of 41% at baseline, 16% at 2 weeks, and 4% at 6 months. Furthermore, the WAD group reported improvements in all other psychometric variables (P<0.05), although only pain catastrophizing levels were comparable to controls at 2 weeks. DISCUSSION PPTs but not CPM improved in the WAD group and were comparable to controls following 2 weeks following standardized rehabilitation, indicating that normalization of CPM may not be required to recover from WAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffan W M Christensen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University
- Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | | | - Pablo Herrero
- Health Sciences Faculty, San Jorge University, Villanueva de Gállego
- Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Thorvaldur S Palsson
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University
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Elliott JM, Smith AC, Hoggarth MA, Albin SR, Weber KA, Haager M, Fundaun J, Wasielewski M, Courtney DM, Parrish TB. Muscle fat infiltration following whiplash: A computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging comparison. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234061. [PMID: 32484835 PMCID: PMC7266316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we present a secondary analysis from a parent database of 97 acutely injured participants enrolled in a prospective inception cohort study of whiplash recovery after motor vehicle collision (MVC). The purpose was to investigate the deep and superficial neck extensor muscles with peri-traumatic computed tomography (CT) and longitudinal measures of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in participants with varying levels of whiplash-related disability. Thirty-six underwent standard care imaging of the cervical spine with CT at a level-1 trauma designated emergency department. All 36 participants were assessed with MRI of the cervical spine at <1-week, 2-weeks, 3-, and 12-months post-injury and classified into three groups using initial pain severity and percentage scores on the Neck Disability Index (recovered (NDI of 0–8%), mild (NDI of 10–28%), or severe (NDI ≥ 30%)) at 3-months post MVC. CT muscle attenuation values were significantly correlated to muscle fat infiltration (MFI) on MRI at one-week post MVC. There was no significant difference in muscle attenuation across groups at the time of enrollment. A trend of lower muscle attenuation in the deep compared to the superficial extensors was observed in the severe group. MFI values in the deep muscles on MRI were significantly higher in the severe group when compared to the mild group at 1-year post MVC. This study provides further evidence that the magnitude of 1) deep MFI appears unique to those at risk of and eventually transitioning to chronic WAD and that 2) pre- or peri-traumatic muscular health, determined by CT muscle attenuation, may be contribute to our understanding of long-term recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Elliott
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, & The Northern Sydney Local Health District, The Kolling Research Institute, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrew C. Smith
- School of Physical Therapy, Regis University, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Mark A. Hoggarth
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Stephanie R. Albin
- School of Physical Therapy, Regis University, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Ken A. Weber
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
| | - Mat Haager
- School of Physical Therapy, Regis University, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Joel Fundaun
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Marie Wasielewski
- Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - D. Mark Courtney
- Department of Emergency Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Todd B. Parrish
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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The Impact of Psychosocial and Contextual Factors on Individuals Who Sustain Whiplash-Associated Disorders in Motor Vehicle Collisions. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12207-018-9317-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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The Nature of Whiplash in a Compensable Environment: Injury, Disability, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Systems. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017. [PMID: 28622485 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2017.7533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Synopsis Whiplash is a compensable injury in many jurisdictions, but there is considerable heterogeneity in the compensation arrangements that apply across jurisdictions, even within some countries. These compensation schemes have, however, been subject to a common set of interrelated concerns, chiefly concerning the incentives, behaviors, and outcomes that may arise when financial compensation for injuries is available to injured parties. This article provides a nontechnical overview of some of those concerns through the lens of economics: principally, insurance economics and health economics, including related subsets such as information economics and agency theory, as well as economics and the law. It notes that because it is generally infeasible to randomize the treatment (ie, compensation) via trials, analyses of observational data are necessary to discover more about the relationship between compensation and health outcomes. This poses the analytical challenge of discovering causal connections between phenomena from nonrandomized data sets. The present article calls for further research that would enable convincing causal interpretations of such relationships via the careful analysis of rich observational data sets using modern econometric methods. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(7):503-508. Epub 16 Jun 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7533.
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Abstract
A previous special issue of JOSPT (October 2016) discussed whiplash in terms of the clinical problems and current research surrounding prevention, biomechanics of injury, emergent care, imaging advancements, recovery pathways and prognosis, pathogenesis of posttrauma pain, acute and chronic management, and new predictive clinical tools. While great strides have been made in the field of whiplash and are continuing in earnest, a key group of clinicians and academics have recognized that inconsistent outcomes in published literature hamper our ability to meaningfully synthesize research findings, leading to results of systematic reviews that provide very few concrete clinical recommendations. We are optimistic that improved outcomes for people with whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) are attainable in the near future, as interdisciplinary research efforts continue to align internationally, new mechanisms are identified and explored, and advanced statistical techniques allow complex questions to be answered in clinically meaningful ways. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(7):444-446. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.0106.
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Abstract
Editor-in-Chief J. Haxby Abbott looks back on JOSPT's accomplishments in 2016. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(12):1016-1017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0115.
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