Comparison of sensorimotor disturbance between subjects with persistent whiplash-associated disorder and subjects with vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine if differences exist in reported symptoms and in outcomes of sensorimotor tests (cervical joint position error [JPE], neck-influenced eye movement control, postural stability) between subjects with persistent whiplash and subjects with unilateral vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma.

DESIGN:

Repeated measures, case controlled.

SETTING:

Tertiary institution and metropolitan hospital.

PARTICIPANTS:

Twenty subjects with persistent whiplash, 20 subjects with acoustic neuroma, and 20 control subjects.

INTERVENTIONS:

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Symptom descriptors, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (short form), measures of cervical JPE, the smooth pursuit neck torsion (SPNT) test, and forceplate measures of postural stability in comfortable and narrow stances.

RESULTS:

The results showed differences in SPNT (P=.00), selected measures of postural stability (P<.04), and reported symptoms between the whiplash and vestibular groups. There was no between-group difference in cervical JPE (P>.27) or dizziness handicap (P>.69).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study showed differences in sensorimotor disturbances between subjects with discreet whiplash and those with vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma. The results support the SPNT test as a test of cervical afferent dysfunction. Further research into cervical JPE as a discreet test of cervical afferentation is warranted.

• Authors: Julia Treleaven, Nancy LowChoy, Ross Darnell, Ben Panizza, David Brown-Rothwell, Gwendolen Jull
• Journal: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation (Arch Phys Med Rehabil) Vol. 89 Issue 3 Pg. 522-30 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 1532-821X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18295632 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Eye Movements (physiology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Gait Disorders, Neurologic (diagnosis, etiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuroma, Acoustic (complications, diagnosis)
• Postural Balance (physiology)
• Probability
• Proprioception (physiology)
• Risk Assessment
• Sensation Disorders (diagnosis, etiology, rehabilitation)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Vestibular Function Tests
• Whiplash Injuries (complications, diagnosis)