Early interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme for whiplash associated disorders

Purpose : To assess the clinical outcomes of a multidisciplinary rehabilita tion programme for early intervention of chronic whiplash associated disord ers (WAD). The primary aim of the programme was to increase levels of activ ity and independence in patients suffering WAD. Methods: Ninety subjects with purported chronic symptoms associated with wh iplash associated disorder (WAD) were referred to a multi-centre multi-moda l 5- and 8-week rehabilitation programme in 1997-1998, during which prospec tive and retrospective functional and psychological evaluations were conduc ted, the follow-up was to 6 months. Results: Subjects indicated they were satisfied with the programme. Retrosp ective evaluation indicated increased ability to cope with and control pain and, to some extent, psychological aspects. The pain intensity in the neck and upper back were significantly decreased at 6 months follow-up. However , for most of the functional and psychological markers, no significant chan ges were found. Conclusions: A multi-modal rehabilitation programme for the chronic sufferi ng attributed to WAD had positive effects according to several aspects of t he retrospective evaluations, but according to most of the aspects evaluate d prospectively the programme does not appear to have significant benefits.