Comparison of sensorimotor disturbance between subjects with persistent whiplash-associated disorder and subjects with vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma.
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.
Treleaven
Julia
J
Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. j.treleaven@uq.edu.au
LowChoy
Nancy
N
Darnell
Ross
R
Panizza
Ben
B
Brown-Rothwell
David
D
Jull
Gwendolen
G
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*