Pathophysiological Mechanism Behind Prolonged Whiplash Associated Disorders

BACKGROUND There is no consensus regarding the injury mechanism in complex prolonged Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) cases. Often, tissue damage and physiological alterations is not detectable. In order to improve future rehabilitation, a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying whiplash injury and their importance for treatment success is required. It is also important to investigate if pathophysiological changes can be restored by rehabilitation.

AIM The projects aims to investigate neck muscle structure and function, biomarkers and the association with pain, disability and other outcomes before and after neck-specific exercises.

METHODS Design These are sub-group trials, each one independent of the others, in a prospective, multicentre, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two parallel treatment arms conducted according to a protocol established before recruitment started (ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol ID: NCT03022812). Physiotherapist-led neck-specific exercise previously shown to be effective for the current population constitutes the control treatment for the new Internet-based neck-specific exercise treatment. In the RCT, a total of 140 patients will be included (70 from each group), whereof 30 (both randomization arms equally) consecutively will be asked to participate in the present sub-group study. The sub-group studies aims to start September 2019. Independent physiotherapists in primary health care will distribute the treatment.

In sub-group of individuals, additional measurements will be performed before and after interventions end (3 months follow-up). The physical measurements will be performed by independent specially trained test-leaders blinded to randomization.

Additionally, 30 neck healthy individuals without serious diseases matched for age and gender will consecutively be investigated.

Study population

The inclusion criteria for patients are:

• Chronic neck problems corresponding to WAD grades 2-3 verified by clinical examination
• Average estimated pain in the last week at least 20 mm on the visual analogue scale (VAS)
• Neck disability of more than 20% on the Neck Disability Index (NDI) [10]
• Working age (18 - 63 years)
• Daily access to a computer/tablet/smart phone and Internet
• Neck symptoms within the first week after the injury (i.e., neck pain, neck stiffness, or cervical radiculopathy).

For the present sub group study additional criteria were:

• Right handed
• Dominant right sided or equal sided pain

Inclusion criteria for healthy controls:

• Age and gender matched healthy individuals without neck pain and disability (VAS <10mm, NDI <5%) that feel overall healthy without known diseases.

Exclusion criteria for patients:

• Individuals with any of the following signs of head injury at the time of whiplash injury will be excluded: loss of consciousness, amnesia before or after the injury, altered mental status (e.g., confusion, disorientation), focal neurological changes (changes in smell and taste).
• Previous fractures or dislocation of the cervical spine
• Known or suspected serious physical pathology included myelopathy,
• Spinal tumours
• Spinal infection
• Ongoing malignancy
• Previous severe neck problems that resulted in sick leave for more than a month in the year before the current whiplash injury
• surgery in the cervical spine
• Generalized or more dominant pain elsewhere in the body
• Other illness/injury that may prevent full participation
• Inability to understand and write in Swedish

Additional criteria in the present sub group:

• Increased risk of bleeding,
• BMI >35
• Contraindications of MRI such as metal, severe obesity, pacemaker and pregnancy.

Exclusion criteria for healthy controls:

• Earlier neck injury,
• Recurrent neck pain,
• Earlier treatment for neck pain.
• Increased risk of bleeding,
• BMI >35
• Contraindications of MRI

Recruitment and randomization Information about the study will be provided by healthcare providers, reports in newspapers, social media, and the university's website. Interested patients will contact the research team through the project website. After completing a small survey on the website, a project team member (physiotherapist) will perform a telephone interview and ask about the patient's medical history. An appointment for a physical examination and additional interview for the present sub-group study is made as a last step to ensure that the criteria for study participation are met. If the study criteria are met, written and oral informed consent are obtained, and the patient will fill out a questionnaire and undergo physical measurements of neck-related function. Baseline measurements must be completed for inclusion.

Healthy individuals will consecutively be recruited among friends, family and staff at the university or the university hospital to suit the age and gender of a patient.

Intervention for the patient group The intervention consists of neck-specific exercises distributed in two different ways, twice a week at the physiotherapist clinic for 3 months (NSE group) or with 4 physiotherapy visits only combined with a web-based system (NSEIT group).

1. In the NSE group, patients will get an explanation and justification for the exercise consisting of basic information about the musculoskeletal anatomy of the neck relevant to the exercises given by the physiotherapist in order to motivate the patient and help make them feel safe and reassured. The patients undergo a 12-week training programme with a physiotherapist 2 days/week (total 24 times). Exercises are chosen from a clear and written frame of exercises. The training includes exercises for the deep neck muscles, continuing with the endurance training of neck and shoulder muscles. The exercises are individually adjusted according to the individual's physical conditions and progressively increased in severity and dose. Exercise-related pain provocation is not accepted. The patient may also perform exercises at home. At the end of the treatment period, the participants are encouraged to continue practising on their own. The exercises have been used with good results in previous RCTs.
2. In the NSEIT group, patients will receive the same information and training programmes as the NSE group, but with 4 visits to the physiotherapist instead of 24. Exercises are introduced, progressed, and followed up to ensure correct performance. The exercises are performed and most of the information is given with the help of Internet support outside the healthcare system. Photos and videos of the exercises (a clear stepwise progression) and information are available on the Web-based system. A SMS reminder is automatically available if the exercise diary is not completed. The time required for training is the same as in group A, but without the patient having to go to the physiotherapy clinic. The Internet programme was developed by experienced physiotherapists/ researchers together with technicians and clinicians. Technicians are available to assist the participants if any technical difficulties arise. The patients will be introduced to the exercises and get information and support at the physiotherapy visits.

Variables and measurements Background data and data in the RCT include personal details, questionnaires and test results regarding pain, physical and psychological functioning, health and cost-effectiveness described elsewhere (ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol ID: NCT03022812).

Measurements will be done at baseline for both groups and at 3 months follow-up for the patient when treatment ends. Except for blood and saliva samples that will be collected twice (baseline and repeated after 3 months), the measurements will be performed at baseline only for the healthy individuals.