Neck-specific Exercises Effectively Improves Whiplash-associated Disorders.

Introduction: Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) are a group of clinical manifestations experienced by individuals following a sudden acceleration-deceleration mechanism of the neck. WAD are the most common injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident. The mainstays of WAD treatment are a return to normal activity and both general and deep neck musculature exercises. Recently, a device called Spinetrack has been validated to facilitate training of the deep craniocervical musculature. This device can even be adapted for use in a virtual format. However, to date, it has not been determined how this device contributes to the improvement of pain and disability in individuals with subacute WAD in a virtual context.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a telerehabilitation programme, which is based on specific neck exercises with the Spinetrack, on pain and self-perceived disability in people with WAD I and II in the subacute stage.

Methods: This study is a single-blinded, randomised, controlled clinical trial. A total of 102 subjects with WAD I and II will be recruited according to the Quebec Task Force classification in the subacute stage. The participants will be randomised into three groups: a telerehabilitation group based on specific neck exercises with the Spinetrack (SES), a treatment group with a telerehabilitation programme with standard specific neck exercises (SSE), and a usual care group (UCG).

Training will be carried out via video call over 12 sessions distributed over six weeks, with two sessions per week. The main outcome variables will be pain and perceived disability.

Expected Results: The investigators anticipate that training the deep neck musculature will reduce pain and disability in patients with WAD. It is expected to demonstrate the device's function as a tool for self-management of neck symptoms and to provide the health care system with an efficient device for the treatment of subacute WAD.

• Global Perceived Effect as measured by Global Perceived Effect Scale (-7 to +7 Likert Scale) [Срок оценки: Baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks]
• Self-perception of vestibular difficulty as measured by Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) [Срок оценки: Baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks]
• dizziness induced by dynamic visual input as measured by Visual vertigo analogue scale (VVAS) [Срок оценки: Baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks]
• Impact of headaches on daily life Headache intensity as measured by The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) [Срок оценки: Baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks]
• Fear or excessive aversion to physical movement or exercise, also called kinesiophobia as measured by Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) [Срок оценки: Baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks]
• depression and anxiety as measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) [Срок оценки: Baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks]
• Difficulties people sometimes have after stressful life events as measured by Impacto of event scale (IES) [Срок оценки: Baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks]
• Measures the somatic and emotional symptoms common to central sensitization syndrome (CSS) as measured by the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) [Срок оценки: Baseline, at 6 and 12 weeks]