Biofeedback treatment for acute whiplash patients

• Published in: Revista médica (Mexico : 1983) Vol. 54; no. 4; p. 480
• Main Authors: Gálvez-Hernández, Carmen Lizette, Rodríguez-Ortiz, María Dolores, Del Río-Portilla, Yolanda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Mexico 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic; Adult; Biofeedback, Psychology - methods; Combined Modality Therapy; Electromyography; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Pain Measurement; Psychological Tests; Treatment Outcome; Whiplash Injuries - etiology; Whiplash Injuries - psychology; Whiplash Injuries - therapy; Relaxation therapy; Whiplash injuries; Cervical vertebrae; Neurofeedback
• ISSN: 0443-5117

The aim of this study is to evaluate the physiological and psychological effect after an electromyographic biofeedback treatment in combination with progressive muscular relaxation training in patients with acute whiplash. Twelve patients with acute whiplash volunteered to participate in a quasi-experimental design and a control group. Two months maximum after car accident, severity levels II and I. previous history of persistent pain or serious previous injury. The groups were randomly divided in two (treatment and waiting list groups). We used electromyographic measures of the trapezius muscles with psychometric tests: Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory; Oswestry Pain Disability Questionnaire; Visual Analog Scale of Pain; TAMPA Scale for Kinesiophobia. The treatment consisted in electromyographic biofeedback after progressive muscular relaxation training. There were significant intra-group differences before and after treatment in muscular symmetry and subjective pain perception in the treatment group. We achieved a significant change (clinical and statistical) in subjective pain perception and muscular symmetry. This study highlights the importance of multidisciplinary work in acute pain patients and the effectiveness of clinical psychophysiological strategies with acute whiplash patients.