Comparison of sensorimotor disturbance between subjects with persistent whiplash associated disorder and subjects with acoustic neuromas

Julia Treleaven
Nancy Low Choy
Ross Darnell
Ben Panizza
David Brown-Rothwell
Gwendolen Jull

Abstract

Objective
To determine if differences exist in reported symptoms and in outcomes of sensorimotor tests (cervical joint position error [JPE], neck-influenced eye movement control, postural stability) between subjects with persistent whiplash and subjects with unilateral vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma.

Design
Repeated measures, case controlled.

Setting
Tertiary institution and metropolitan hospital.

Participants
Twenty subjects with persistent whiplash, 20 subjects with acoustic neuroma, and 20 control subjects.

Interventions
Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures
Symptom descriptors, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (short form), measures of cervical JPE, the smooth pursuit neck torsion (SPNT) test, and forceplate measures of postural stability in comfortable and narrow stances.

Results
The results showed differences in SPNT (P=.00), selected measures of postural stability (P<.04), and reported symptoms between the whiplash and vestibular groups. There was no between-group difference in cervical JPE (P>.27) or dizziness handicap (P>.69).

Conclusions
This study showed differences in sensorimotor disturbances between subjects with discreet whiplash and those with vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma. The results support the SPNT test as a test of cervical afferent dysfunction. Further research into cervical JPE as a discreet test of cervical afferentation is warranted.

© Copyright by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2008