[Effectiveness of spinal manipulation in treating whiplash injuries].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of spinal manipulation treatments in patients with whiplash injuries.


METHODS
Systematic review.


METHODS
A systematic search was conducted between January 2000 and May 2006 in CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CRD (Center for Reviews and Dissemination), Spanish Index Medicus, and PEDro. Reports of Physiotherapy congresses between 2000 and 2005 were reviewed.


METHODS



METHODS
studies of patients with whiplash injuries who were treated with spinal manipulations, either exclusively or combined with other therapies. Outcomes were expressed in at least one of the following: pain, global perceived effect or range of movement (ROM). Only 9 of the first screening (290) were analyzed.


METHODS
The studies were independently selected by 2 reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed on the basis of the recommendations of the Agency for Health Technology Evaluation. The lack of data and their heterogeneity made any statistical analysis impossible.


RESULTS
Of the 9 studies analyzed, 7 were systematic reviews and 2 were primary studies. No review showed evidence of the efficacy of spinal manipulations versus other therapies. The results were often explained vaguely and inadequately.


CONCLUSIONS
There is not enough evidence to suggest that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment for whiplash. Though in the short term it seems to improve pain, any long-term benefit or clinical or economic advantages versus conventional therapies could not be determined.
Martín Saborido
Carlos
C
Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España. cmsaborido@isciii.es
García Lizana
Francisca
F
Alcázar Alcázar
Raimundo
R
Sarría-Santamera
Antonio
A
D006801:Humans; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000628:therapy*