title: [Postural control disorders in initial phases of whiplash].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dizziness of variable intensity is a frequent complaint in patients who suffered whiplash and largely documented balance disturbances. The objective of the study was to identify balance disorders in early stage of whiplash after road traffic accidents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety nine women were included in the study. Fifty four women had suffered whiplash within two weeks and 45 were included in a healthy control group. Static posturography on a force platform was carried out in all study participants, by means of the Romberg test in four sequential phases, using the postural sway area (SA) as a dependent variable. Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) and Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPH) were used to evaluate pain and function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postural sway area increased significantly in each of the consecutive phases in both groups. The differences of the means of the postural sway area were statistically significant in all Romberg phases (p=.009 to P=.000). No correlation was found between SA and VAS or NPH scores. There was a positive correlation between the postural sway area standing on a thick foam cushion placed over the plate with closed eyes and the number of days of transitory incapacity (r=0.414; P=.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with recent whiplash show a postural control disturbance revealed trough a sequential static posturography analysis. This suggests that the balance disorder is not only a consequence of late whiplash syndrome evolution. Therefore, we should promote early instauration of a specific therapeutic approach if and when the patient refers dizziness and related symptoms.
authors.affiliation: INVALCOR (Laboratorio de Biomecánica), Barcelona, España; Servicio de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación, Hospital de Mataró, Mataró (Barcelona), España; Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, España. 34260ep@comb.es
authors.forename: Eulogio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pleguezuelos Cobo
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Alsina
authors.forename: Concepción
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García Almazán
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ortiz Fandiño
authors.forename: M Engracia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pérez Mesquida
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guirao Cano
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Samitier Pastor
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perucho Pont
authors.forename: Estel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coll Serra
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matarrubias
authors.forename: Genoveva
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reveron
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011187:Posture; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications*