Benefits of Different Physical Therapy for Whiplash Injuries
Author Information
Author(s): Dehner Christoph, Elbel Martin, Strobel Philipp, Scheich Matthias, Schneider Florian, Krischak Gert, Kramer Michael
Primary Institution: Center of Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Hand-, Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Ulm
Hypothesis
Does physical therapy provide medical or economic benefits for patients with whiplash injuries?
Conclusion
Active physical therapy leads to better pain reduction and shorter recovery time compared to passive therapy or no therapy.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients in both therapy groups had a median period of disability of 14 days compared to 49 days in the AAU group.
- The median pain reduction was significantly greater in the APT group (50.5) than in the PPT (39.2) or AAU group (28.8).
- No significant difference in range of motion improvement was observed between the therapy groups.
Takeaway
This study shows that doing exercises helps people with neck injuries feel better faster than just resting or doing nothing.
Methodology
Seventy patients with acute grade II whiplash injuries were randomized into two groups receiving active or passive physical therapy, and compared to a previous group receiving usual care.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to non-randomization in the AAU group.
Limitations
The AAU group was not randomized, which may affect the comparison validity.
Participant Demographics
32 patients in APT group (10 males, 22 females; median age 28), 32 in PPT group (12 males, 20 females; median age 29), and 14 in AAU group (5 males, 9 females; median age 29).
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.009
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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