A COMPARISON OF SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED FOLLOWING MINOR HEAD-INJURY AND ACUTE NECK STRAIN (WHIPLASH INJURY)

The symptoms reported by patients who have experienced minor head or m inor neck injury are compared. Symptoms were identified using a questi onnaire-based out-patients interview. Rank order correlation analyses were carried out on data obtained at 2 and 6-12 weeks post-injury. Dat a on 24 head-injured and 29 neck-injured patients are presented. There was a significant rank order correlation at both assessments but neck injured patients reported more phobia (fear of travelling in car) and depression, and head-injured more dizziness. It is likely that neck-i njury contributes to the symptomatology experienced after minor head i njury, and vice-versa.