November 2024 CME Activity: Effects of a Guided Neck-Specific Exercise Therapy on Recovery After a Whiplash A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis-Effects of a Guided Neck-Specific Exercise Therapy on Recovery After a Whiplash A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Effects of a Guided Neck-Specific Exercise Therapy on Recovery After a Whiplash A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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The systematic review and meta-analysis by Pablo Muñoz Lazcano and colleagues analyzed the effects of guided neck-specific exercise (NSE) therapy on recovery from pain and disability after a whiplash injury. The study compared the efficacy of guided NSE therapy to different or unguided therapies, aiming to identify the best approach for managing whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) in the short term. A comprehensive literature search identified 11 randomized controlled trials focusing on NSE for whiplash patients, and the analysis was limited to short-term outcomes (up to three months following the intervention).<br /><br />Results indicated that guided NSE therapy led to a significantly greater reduction in neck pain and disability than its alternatives. The standardized mean difference (SMD) in neck pain was 0.25 and for neck disability index (NDI) 0.35, both favoring the guided therapy. The analysis suggested that improvements are more pronounced when the therapy includes strength and resistance exercises, is conducted over periods longer than six weeks, and involves at least two sessions per week. However, NSE did not show benefits in improving cervical range of motion (CROM) or reducing headache intensity compared to other treatments.<br /><br />The study concluded that guided NSE therapy should be incorporated into the management of WAD due to its superior outcomes in pain and disability reduction, likely benefiting from increased motivation and program adherence associated with professional supervision. However, the results were drawn from diverse intervention protocols with varied session durations and frequencies, highlighting a need for standardized treatment recommendations.<br /><br />Overall, guided NSE therapy offers a beneficial approach to addressing pain and disability following whiplash injuries, with further research necessary to optimize intervention protocols and extend findings to diverse patient populations.

Keywords

guided neck-specific exercise

whiplash injury

pain recovery

disability reduction

whiplash-associated disorders

randomized controlled trials

short-term outcomes

strength and resistance exercises

cervical range of motion

treatment protocols