title: Cervical motor dysfunction and its predictive value for long-term recovery in patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the presence of cervical motor dysfunctions in acute whiplash-associated disorders, evaluate their course and assess their predictive value for long-term recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed and Web of Science databases were used to select studies of the presence of cervical motor dysfunctions within the acute stage (< 6 weeks) after whiplash trauma and/or their predictive value for the development of chronic whiplash-associated disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of cervical motor dysfunctions in the acute stage after whiplash trauma was investigated in 4 cohorts. The course of cervical motor dysfunctions in whiplash-associated disorders was examined in 4 cohorts, and the predictive value on outcome 1 year post-whiplash trauma was assessed in 3 cohorts. Reduced cervical mobility, disturbed kinaesthesia, and altered muscle activity were found in the acute stage, and these persisted over time in the moderate/severe group. The predictive value of examining the presence of cervical motor dysfunctions was doubtful. The course and predictive value of initial reduced cervical mobility was inconsistent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cervical motor dysfunctions are present soon after whiplash trauma persisting in those with moderate/severe symptoms. However, these dysfunctions have limited predictive value, and hence may not explain the complex clinical picture of whiplash-associated disorders. This systematic review highlights the need for differentiating between patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders taking into account the biopsychological framework.
authors: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp (UA), Belgium.
authors: Liesbeth
authors: L
authors: Daenen
authors: Jo
authors: J
authors: Nijs
authors: Bonny
authors: B
authors: Raadsen
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Roussel
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Cras
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Dankaerts
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007699:Kinesthesis; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009333:Neck / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation