Higher Neck Pain Intensity and the Presence of Psychosocial Factors Are More Likely When Headache is Present after a Whiplash Injury: A Case-Control Study. Issue 9 (25th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anarte-Lazo, Ernesto; Bernal-Utrera, Carlos; Montaño-Ocaña, Juan; Falla, Deborah; Rodriguez-Blanco, Cleofas
• Is Part Of: Pain medicine. Volume 23:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 1529
• Page End: 1535
• Publication Date: 2022-02-25
• Subjects: Whiplash Associated Disorders -- Headache -- Psychosocial Factors -- Neck Pain -- Rehabilitation -- Disability; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Analgesics -- Periodicals; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain Management -- Periodicals; Douleur -- Périodiques; Douleur -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Analgésiques -- Périodiques; Analgésique; Soulagement de la douleur; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.047205
• DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnac038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-2375

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Several factors such as neck pain intensity, disability, anxiety, depression, female sex, or a previous history of headache are associated with post-whiplash headache. However, the possible role of psychosocial factors contributing to the presence of headache or worsening of headache after a whiplash trauma remains unclear. To address this gap in knowledge, there is the need to assess psychosocial factors concerning headache shortly after a whiplash injury. Objective: To evaluate psychological features, pain and disability in people with acute whiplash associated disorders (WAD) and compare these features between those with and without headache. Design: Case-control study. Setting: A secondary care traumatology center. Methods: Forty-seven people with acute WAD were recruited; 28 with headache, and 19 without. All participants completed self-reported questionnaires including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for neck pain intensity, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: Neck pain intensity ( P < .001), neck disability ( P < 0.001), pain catastrophizing ( P < .001), kinesiophobia ( P < .001), and anxiety state ( P = .007) and trait ( P = .05) were higher in those with headache when compared to those without. In addition, high levels of neck pain ( P = .025), moderate levels of neck disability ( P < .001), moderate levels of pain catastrophizing ( P = .015), and moderate ( P = .002) and severe ( P = .016) levels of kinesiophobia were related to the presence of headache. Conclusions: The level of neck pain intensity and disability, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, and anxiety were all greater in people with acute WAD who presented with a headache compared to those without headache.