Citation

Wallis BJ, Lord SM, Barnsley L, Bogduk N. Spine 1996; 21(7): 804-810.

Affiliation

Cervical Spine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8779010

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A survey of pain intensity and psychological symptoms in patients with chronic neck pain after whiplash injury. OBJECTIVES: To describe the pain and psychological profiles of patients with chronic whiplash. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Reports in the literature mention a constellation of symptoms associated with chronic whiplash injury but no systematic survey using objective patient report measures has been reported. METHODS: One hundred forty consecutive referred patients with chronic neck pain after a motor vehicle accident were studied using the SCL-90-R psychological profile and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS: Psychological profiles and pain intensity ratings, similar to profiles obtained from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain of organic origin, were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The SCL-90-R is a convenient instrument to administer to patients with whiplash. It yielded a characteristic profile of pain and appears to be more expedient than other psychometric tests for these patients.

Language: en