[Postural control disorders in initial phases of whiplash].
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.
Pleguezuelos Cobo
Eulogio
E
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
García-Alsina
Joan
J
García Almazán
Concepción
C
Ortiz Fandiño
Javier
J
Pérez Mesquida
M Engracia
ME
Guirao Cano
Lluis
L
Samitier Pastor
Beatriz
B
Perucho Pont
Cristina
C
Coll Serra
Estel
E
Matarrubias
Carlos
C
Reveron
Genoveva
G
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*