RESULTS OF ONE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY AFTER WHIPLASH INJURY

Based on a strict definition of whiplash injury a sample of 117 non-se lected patients was examined 7.2+/-4.2 days and at 3, 6 and 12 months after trauma. Initially all patients underwent a neurological examinat ion, cognitive and psychosocial factor assessment and cervical spine x -rays. 56%, 70% and 76% of patients had completely recovered at 3, 6 a nd 12 months respectively. The results indicated that impairment of pa tients' well-being and cognitive ability was closely associated with s omatic symptoms. No major impairment of attentional functioning was fo und, but some change in cognitive equilibrium was observed which may b e related to the type of medication utilized. Delayed recovery at 12 m onths could be predicted by the following initial variables: higher ag e, intensity of initial neck pain and headache, symptoms of radicular irritation, sleep disturbances, pretraumatic headache, history of head trauma, nervousness score and - significantly inversely proportional - initial concentration problems and neuroticism score. These results suggest that a more severe neck injury may in particular account for d elayed recovery from whiplash.