Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

LIVE: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)
Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation

Open Access 25-03-2024 | Whiplash Injury

Novel Internet Support for Neck-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Work-Related Outcomes to the Same Extent as Extensive Visits to a Physiotherapy Clinic in Individuals with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Prospective Randomised Study

Authors: Anneli Peolsson, Emma Nilsing Strid, Gunnel Peterson

Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

To address the current lack of information about work-related factors for individuals with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) we investigated the effectiveness of 3 months of neck-specific rehabilitation with internet support in combination with four physiotherapy visits (NSEIT) compared to the same exercises performed twice a week (24 times) at a physiotherapy clinic (NSE).

Methods

This is a prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled trial regarding secondary outcomes of work-related factors in 140 individuals with chronic moderate/severe WAD with 3- and 15-month follow-up.

Results

There were no group differences between NSE and NSEIT in the Work Ability Scale or work subscales of the Neck Disability Index, Whiplash Disability Questionnaire or Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ-work). Both groups improved in all work-related outcome measures, except for FABQ-work after the 3-month intervention and results were maintained at the 15-month follow-up. Conclusions: Despite fewer physiotherapy visits for the NSEIT group, there were no group differences between NSEIT and NSE, with improvements in most work-related measures maintained at the 15-month follow-up. The results of the present study are promising for those with remaining work ability problems after a whiplash injury.
Protocol registered before data collection started: clinicaltrials.gov NCT03022812.
Literature
1.
Holm LW, Carroll LJ, Cassidy JD, Hogg-Johnson S, Côté P, Guzman J, et al. The burden and determinants of neck pain in whiplash-associated disorders after traffic collisions: results of the bone and joint decade 2000–2010 task force on neck pain and its associated disorders. Spine. 2008;33:S52-S59.PubMedCrossRef
2.
Styrke J, Sojka P, Bjornstig U, Stalnacke BM. Symptoms, disabilities, and life satisfaction five years after whiplash injuries. Scand J Pain. 2014;5(4):229–236.PubMedCrossRef
3.
Pink J, Petrou S, Williamson E, Williams M, Lamb SE. Economic and health-related quality of life outcomes of whiplash associated disorders. Spine. 2016;41:1378–1386.PubMedCrossRef
4.
Biering-Sørensen Møller A, Stoltenberg CDG, Holm JW, Skov PD. The return-to-work process of individuals sick-listed because of whiplash-associated disorder: a three-year follow-up study in a Danish cohort of long-term sickness absence. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:113.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
5.
Hoving JL, O’Leary EF, Niere KR, Green S, Buchbinder R. Validity of the neck disability index, Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire, and problem elicitation technique for measuring disability associated with whiplash-associated disorders. Pain. 2003;102:273–281.PubMedCrossRef
6.
Chen K, Andersen T, Carroll L, Connelly L, Côte P, Curatolo M, et al. Recommendations for core outcome domain set for whiplash-associated disorders (CATWAD). Clin J Pain. 2019;35:727–736.PubMedCrossRef
7.
Lo HK, Johnston V, Landén Ludvigsson M, Peterson G, Overmeer T, David M, et al. Factors associated with work ability following exercise interventions for people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. J Rehabil Med. 2018;50(9):828–836.PubMedCrossRef
8.
Peolsson A, Hermansen A, Peterson G, Nilsing SE. Return to work a bumpy road: a qualitative study on experience of work ability and work situation in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:785.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
9.
10.
Norström F, Virtanen P, Hammarström A, Gustafsson PE, Janlert U. How does unemployment affect self-assessed health? A systematic review focusing on subgroup effects. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:310.CrossRef
11.
Gane EM, Plinsinga ML, Brakenridge CL, Smits EJ, Aplin T, Johnston V. The impact of musculoskeletal injuries sustained in road traffic crashes on work-related outcomes: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18:11504.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
12.
Sullivan M, Adams H, Thibault P, Moore E, Carriere JS, Larivière C. Return to work helps maintain treatment gains in the rehabilitation of whiplash injury. Pain. 2017;158:980–987.PubMedCrossRef
13.
14.
Rushton A, Wright C, Heneghan N, Eveleigh G, Calvert M, Freemantle N. Physiotherapy rehabilitation for whiplash associated disorder II: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. 2011;1: e000265.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
15.
Rebbeck T. The role of exercise and patient education in the noninvasive management of whiplash. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47:481–491.PubMedCrossRef
16.
Gross AR, Paquin JP, Dupont G, Blanchette S, Lalonde P, Cristie T, et al. Exercises for mechanical neck disorders: a Cochrane review update. Man Ther. 2016;24:25–45.PubMedCrossRef
17.
Ludvigsson ML, Peterson G, Peolsson A. Neck-specific exercise for radiating pain and neurological deficits in chronic whiplash: a 1-year follow-up of a randomised clinical trial. Sci Rep. 2020;10:6758.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
18.
Bring A, Åsenlöf P, Söderlund A. What is the comparative effectiveness of current standard treatment, against an individually tailored behavioural programme delivered either on the Internet or face-to-face for people with acute whiplash associated disorder? A randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2015;30:441–453.PubMedCrossRef
19.
20.
Schafer AGM, Zalpour C, von Piekartz H, Hall TM, Paelke V. The efficacy of electronic health-supported home exercise interventions for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2018;20: e152.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
21.
van Vugt VA, de Kruif AJ, van der Wouden JC, van der Horst HE, Maarsingh OR. Experiences of patients and physiotherapists with blended internet-based vestibular rehabilitation: a qualitative interview study. BJGP Open. 2020;4:1–10.
22.
Peterson G, Peolsson A. Efficacy of neck-specific exercise with internet support versus neck-specific exercise at a physiotherapy clinic in chronic whiplash-associated disorders multicenter randomized controlled noninferiority trial. J Med Internet Res. 2023;25(e43888):p1-15.
23.
Peolsson A, Landén Ludvigsson M, Peterson G. Neck-specific exercises with internet-based support compared to neck-specific exercises at a physiotherapy clinic for chronic whiplash-associated disorders: study protocol of a randomized controlled multicentre trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18:524.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
24.
Spitzer WO, Skovron ML, Salmi LR, Cassidy JD, Duranceau J, Suissa S, et al. Scientific monograph of the Quebec task force on whiplash associated disorders: redefining “whiplash” and its management. Spine. 1995;20:S1-S73.
25.
Carlsson AM. Assessment of chronic pain. I. Aspects of the reliability and validity of the visual analogue scale. Pain. 1983;16:87–101.PubMedCrossRef
26.
Vernon H, Mior S. The Neck Disability Index: a study of reliability and validity. J Manip Physiol Ther. 1991;14:409–415.
27.
28.
Willis C, Niere KR, Hoving JL, Green S, O’Leary EF, Buchbinder R. Reproducibility and responsiveness of the whiplash disability questionnaire. Pain. 2004;110:681–688.PubMedCrossRef
29.
Pinfold M, Niere KR, O’Leary EF, Hoving JL, Green S, Buchbinder R. Validity and internal consistency of a whiplash-specific disability measure. Spine. 2004;29:263–268.PubMedCrossRef
30.
Stupar M, Côté P, Beaton DE, Boyle E, Cassidy JD. A test-retest reliability study of the whiplash disability questionnaire in patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders. J Manip Physiol Ther. 2015;38:629–636.CrossRef
31.
Koopman C, Pelletier KR, Murray JF, Sharda CE, Berger ML, Turpin RS. Stanford presenteeism scale: health status and employee productivity. J Occup Environ Med. 2002;44:14–20.PubMedCrossRef
32.
Waddell G, Newton M, Henderson I, Somerville D, Main CJ, Slade PD, et al. A Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and the role of fear-avoidance beliefs in chronic low back pain and disability. Pain. 1993;52:157–168.PubMedCrossRef
33.
Dedering A, Borjesson T. Assessing fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Physiother Res Int. 2013;18:193–202.PubMedCrossRef
34.
El Fassi M, Bocquet V, Majery N, Lair ML, Couffignal S, Mairiaux P. Work ability assessment in a worker population: comparison and determinants of Work Ability Index and Work Ability Score. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:305.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
35.
Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. 2nd ed. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum; 1988.
36.
Riva S, Camerini A-L, Allam A, Schultz PJ. Interactive sections of an Internet-based intervention increase empowerment of chronic back pain patients: randomized controlled trial. Internet Res. 2014;16: e180.CrossRef
37.
Revenäs Å, Opava C, Ahlén H, Brusewitz M, Pettersson S, Åsenlöf P. Mobile internet service for self-management of physical activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation of test version. RMD Open. 2016;2: e000214.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
38.
Shukla H, Nair SR, Thakker D. Role of telerehabilitation in patients following total knee arthroplasty: evidence from a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. J Telemed Telecare. 2017;23:339–346.PubMedCrossRef
39.
Lelieveld O, Armbrust W, Geertzen J, de Graaf I, van Leeuwen MA, Sauer PJ, et al. Promoting physical activity in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis through an internet-based program: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Care Res. 2010;62:697–703.CrossRef
40.
Peolsson A, Landén Ludvigsson M, Tigerfors AM, Peterson G. Effects of neck-specific exercises compared to waiting list for individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a prospective, randomized controlled study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016;97:189–195.PubMedCrossRef
41.
Ferreira G, Traeger AC, Machado G, O’Keeffe M, Maher CG. Credibility, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of Internet-based information about low back pain: a systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21: e13357.PubMedPubMedCentralCrossRef
42.
Southerst D, Nordin MC, Côte P, Shearer HM, Varatharajan S, Yu H, et al. Is exercise effective for the management of neck pain and associated disorders or whiplash-associated disorders?: a systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) collaboration. Spine J. 2016;16:1503–1523.PubMedCrossRef
43.
Varatharajan SJ, Côte P, Shearer HM, Loisel P, Wong JJ, Southerest D, et al. Are work disability prevention interventions effective for the management of neck pain or upper extremity disorders? A systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMA) collaboration. J Occup Rehabil. 2014;24:692–708.PubMedCrossRef
44.
Boekel I, Dutmer AL, Schiphorst Preuper HR, Reneman MF. Validation of the work ability index-single item and the Pain Disability Index-work item in patients with chronic low back pain. Eur Spine J. 2022;31:943–952.PubMedCrossRef
45.
46.
Kamper SJ, Rebbeck TJ, Maher CG, McAuley JH, Sterling M. Course and prognostic factors of whiplash: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain. 2008;138:617–629.PubMedCrossRef
47.
Gebel M, Voβemer J. The impact of employment transitions on health in Germany: a difference-in-difference propensity score matching approach. Soc Sci Med. 2014;108:128–136.PubMedCrossRef
48.
Gnambs T, Stigbauer B, Selenko E. Psychological effects of (non)employment: a cross-national comparison of the United States and Japan. Scand J Psychol. 2015;56:659–669.PubMedCrossRef
49.
Louw S, Makwela S, Manas L, Meyer L, Terblanche D, Brink Y. Effectiveness of exercise in office workers with neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. South African J Physiother. 2017;73: e392.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Novel Internet Support for Neck-Specific Rehabilitation Improves Work-Related Outcomes to the Same Extent as Extensive Visits to a Physiotherapy Clinic in Individuals with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Prospective Randomised Study
Authors
Anneli Peolsson
Emma Nilsing Strid
Gunnel Peterson
Publication date
25-03-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Keyword
Whiplash Injury
Published in
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Print ISSN: 1053-0487
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-024-10176-0