Ability to reproduce head position after whiplash injury.
METHODS
A two-group design with repeated measures.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is loss of the ability to reproduce target position of the cervical spine individuals who have sustained a whiplash injury.


BACKGROUND
The ability to sense position is a prerequisite for functional movement. Injury may have a deleterious effect on this ability, resulting in inaccurate positioning of the head and neck with respect to the body coordinates and to the environment.


METHODS
Eleven subjects with history of whiplash injury (age, 42 +/- 8.7 years) and 11 age-matched asymptomatic subjects (age, 43 +/- 3.1 years) participated in the study. Effects of whiplash injury on the ability to replicate a target position of the head were assessed. Maximum rotation of the neck and ability to reproduce the target angle were measured using a standard cervical range-of-motion device. Subjects' perception of "neutral" position was also assessed.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance indicated the whiplash subjects were less accurate in reproducing the target angle than were control subjects. These whiplash subjects tended to overshoot the target. In addition, the subjects in the whiplash group were often inaccurate in their assessment of neutral position.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects who have experienced a whiplash injury demonstrate a deficit in their ability to reproduce a target position of the neck. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that these subjects possess an inaccurate perception of head position secondary to their injury. This study has implications for the rehabilitation of individuals with whiplash injury.
Loudon
J K
JK
Department of Physical Therapy Education, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA.
Ruhl
M
M
Field
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation