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Journal Article

Citation

Viano DC, Olsen S. J. Trauma 2001; 51(5): 959-969.

Affiliation

D Center, Warren, Michigan 48090-9055, USA. david.viano@gm.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11706347

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Whiplash injury claims have increased for two decades and manual head restraints are often incorrectly adjusted. A Self-Aligning Head Restraint (SAHR) was designed to move upward and forward by occupant motion in a rear crash providing earlier neck support, even when the head restraint is positioned low. This study determines its field effectiveness. METHODS: Insurance records were analyzed for consecutive Saab rear crashes in Sweden over 18 months. The Saab 9000/900 had standard head restraints and Saab 9-5/9-3 had SAHR. A questionnaire was mailed to the occupants, insurance and medical records were reviewed, and phone interviews were conducted. RESULTS: SAHR reduced whiplash injury risks by 75 +/- 11% from an 18 +/- 5% incidence in 85 occupants with standard head restraints to 4 +/- 3% in 92 occupants with SAHR. No SAHR seat required repair or replacement after the crashes. CONCLUSION: SAHR is effective in reducing whiplash injury in rear crashes and is a passive public-health approach that works irrespective of manual head-restraint adjustment.

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