Pathophysiological Mechanism Behind Prolonged Whiplash Associated Disorders
Pathophysiological Mechanism Behind Prolonged Whiplash Associated Disorders
The knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms behind prolonged Whiplash Associated Disorders
 (WAD) is insufficient and whether changes can be restored by rehabilitation or not is
 unknown. The aim of these studies are to investigate different parameters to further learn
 about pathophysiological mechanisms (neck muscle fatty infiltration, cross-sectional area,
 volume, inflammation and function, brain structure and activity, biomarkers for stress and
 inflammation, cervical kinaesthesia and balance before and after intervention) and the
 association for clinical outcomes in individuals with chronic WAD (n=30) compared with age
 and gender matched healthy individuals (n=30). Measurements will be made at baseline
 (patients and healthy) and at 3 months (patients only, at the end of treatment). However, for
 the blood and saliva samples, they will be re-investigated in the healthy group as well. The
 study results may contribute to the development of improved understanding and diagnostics in
 chronic WAD that may improve future rehabilitation.
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).

 A. 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.

 B. 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.
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 such as metal, severe obesity, pacemaker and pregnancy.