Smooth pursuit neck torsion test in whiplash-associated disorders: relationship to self-reports of neck pain and disability, dizziness and anxiety

Visual disturbances are commonly reported in patients with neck pain. Smooth pursuit neck torsion (SPNT) test performed in neutral position and with trunk rotated under the stationary head has been used to discriminate between those with cervical component and those without. However, no studies investigated the reliability of the SPNT-test in patients with chronic neck pain and healthy controls. The aim of this study was to assess inter-visit reliability of the SPNT-test while applying different amplitudes and velocities of target movement. Thirty-two controls and thirty-one patients were enrolled in the study. The SPNT-test was performed in neutral position and through 45° torsion positions. The test was performed at 20°/s, 30°/s and 40°/s velocities and at 30°, 40° and 50° amplitudes of cyclic sinusoidal target movements. Interclass correlation coefficient and smallest detectable change were calculated for parameters of gain and SPNT-differences. In patients, moderate to good reliability was observed for gain at 40° and 50° amplitudes and for 20°/s and 30°/s velocities, while moderate to excellent reliability for gain was observed in controls. Both groups presented with moderate to good reliability for SPNT-difference. Our findings imply that amplitudes of 40° and 50° and velocities of 20°/s and 30°/s are the most reliable and should be applied in future studies assessing oculomotor functions during the SPNT test.

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The influence of neck torsion and sequence of cycles on intra-trial reliability of smooth pursuit eye movement test in patients with neck pain disorders

Experimental Brain Research ◽

10.1007/s00221-021-06288-1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Ziva Majcen Rosker ◽

Jernej Rosker ◽

Miha Vodicar ◽

Eythor Kristjansson

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Eye Movement ◽

Smooth Pursuit ◽

Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement ◽

Neck Torsion ◽

Movement Test

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Smooth Pursuit Neck Torsion Test-

Journal of Whiplash & Related Disorders ◽

10.1300/j180v01n02_02 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 9-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Carsten Tjell

Keyword(s):

Smooth Pursuit ◽

Torsion Test ◽

Neck Torsion

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The Burden and Determinants of Neck Pain in Whiplash-Associated Disorders After Traffic Collisions

Spine ◽

10.1097/brs.0b013e3181643ece ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 33 (Supplement) ◽

pp. S52-S59 ◽

Cited By ~ 152

Author(s):

Lena W. Holm ◽

Linda J. Carroll ◽

J David Cassidy ◽

Sheilah Hogg-Johnson ◽

Pierre Côté ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Whiplash Associated Disorders

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Exercise therapy for whiplash-associated disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1515/sjpain-2021-0064 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Bruno Chrcanovic ◽

Johan Larsson ◽

Eva-Maj Malmström ◽

Hans Westergren ◽

Birgitta Häggman-Henrikson

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Neck Pain ◽

Exercise Therapy ◽

Full Text ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Current Evidence Base ◽

Whiplash Associated Disorders ◽

Neck Disability

Abstract Objectives Acute as well as chronic pain syndromes are common after whiplash trauma and exercise therapy is proposed as one possible intervention strategy. The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate the effect of exercise therapy in patients with Whiplash-Associated Disorders for the improvement of neck pain and neck disability, compared with other therapeutic interventions, placebo interventions, no treatment, or waiting list. Content The review was registered in Prospero (CRD42017060356) and conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A literature search in PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane from inception until January 13, 2020 was combined with a hand search to identify eligible randomized controlled studies. Abstract screening, full text assessment and risk of bias assessment (Cochrane RoB 2.0) were conducted by two independent reviewers. Summary The search identified 4,103 articles. After removal of duplicates, screening of 2,921 abstracts and full text assessment of 100 articles, 27 articles that reported data for 2,127 patients were included. The included articles evaluated the effect of exercise therapy on neck pain, neck disability or other outcome measures and indicated some positive effects from exercise, but many studies lacked control groups not receiving active treatment. Studies on exercise that could be included in the random-effect meta-analysis showed significant short-term effects on neck pain and medium-term effects on neck disability. Outlook Despite a large number of articles published in the area of exercise therapy and Whiplash-Associated Disorders, the current evidence base is weak. The results from the present review with meta-analysis suggests that exercise therapy may provide additional effect for improvement of neck pain and disability in patients with Whiplash-Associated Disorders.

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