Applying the Quebec Task Force criteria as a frame of reference for studies of whiplash injuries

Research prior to 1995 showed a diversity of either inclusion or exclusion criteria (or both) for diagnosing whiplash injury. As a consequence, the Qu ebec Task Force (QTF) developed expert-based criteria, which may be conside red as a the 'new' gold standard. Here, we examined the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria used in research populations from the major 82 resea rch studies performed during the period 1980-1998, comparing their similari ties and dissimilarities to the QTF standard. None of the articles satisfie d the QTF definitions completely, either before or after their introduction in 1995. Nevertheless, the QTF still seems to have had some impact on eith er the published inclusion or exclusion criteria. We observed that both set s of criteria showed a qualitative shift following the QTF publication in 1 995. For the inclusion criteria, we found both a statistically significant increase in use of the QTF definition (acceleration-deceleration mechanism, rear-end collision, motor vehicle collision or other mishaps) and in the c riterion 'neck pain'. We also observed some smaller changes in both inclusi on and exclusion criteria but none of these was significant statistically. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.