title: Comparison of sensorimotor disturbance between subjects with persistent whiplash-associated disorder and subjects with vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if differences exist in reported symptoms and in outcomes of sensorimotor tests (cervical joint position error [JPE], neck-influenced eye movement control, postural stability) between subjects with persistent whiplash and subjects with unilateral vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measures, case controlled.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary institution and metropolitan hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty subjects with persistent whiplash, 20 subjects with acoustic neuroma, and 20 control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Symptom descriptors, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (short form), measures of cervical JPE, the smooth pursuit neck torsion (SPNT) test, and forceplate measures of postural stability in comfortable and narrow stances.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed differences in SPNT (P=.00), selected measures of postural stability (P<.04), and reported symptoms between the whiplash and vestibular groups. There was no between-group difference in cervical JPE (P>.27) or dizziness handicap (P>.69).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed differences in sensorimotor disturbances between subjects with discreet whiplash and those with vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma. The results support the SPNT test as a test of cervical afferent dysfunction. Further research into cervical JPE as a discreet test of cervical afferentation is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. j.treleaven@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treleaven
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: LowChoy
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Darnell
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Panizza
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown-Rothwell
authors.forename: Gwendolen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jull
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011336:Probability; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*