The effect of two exercise regimes; motor control versus endurance and strength training for patients with whiplash associated disorders
From: Clin Rehabil. 2009 Aug 5. [Epub ahead of print]
The objective of this pilot study was to compare the effect of exercise regimes with focus on either motor control training or endurance and strength training for patients with whiplash associated disorders in the subacute phase. An outpatient spine clinic in Norway recruited twenty five subjects with a whiplash associated disorder still having symptoms or disability six weeks after injury.
The whiplash associated disorder participants received 6 to 10 sessions of physiotherapy for six weeks with focus on either motor control or endurance and strength of neck muscles. The primary outcome measure was the Neck Disability Index, while the secondary outcome measures were pain intensity, neck functioning and sick leave.
No statistical significant differences concerning primary and secondary outcome measures were demonstrated between the groups. Approximately half of the participants in both groups obtained clinically important improvement on perceived disability assessed by Neck Disability Index at six weeks and one year follow up. The changes within both groups were statistically significant at six weeks, but not at one year follow up. For most pain related variables clinical significant improvement was demonstrated in both groups at six weeks, but for fewer participants at one year. There was also statistical significant improvement within groups in some of the physical performance tests at one year follow up.
The changes associated with motor control training and endurance and strength training of neck muscles were similar for reduced disability, pain and for improving physical performance. With a low number of participants and no control group, however, the authors could not be sure whether the improvements are due to interventions or other reasons.
