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February 2018 CME Article No. 2: Alterations in the Mechanical Response of Deep Dorsal Neck Muscles in Individuals Experiencing Whiplash-Associated Disorders Compared to Healthy Controls
Additional Information
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the mechanical responses of dorsal neck muscles in individuals with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) versus healthy individuals.

Design:
This study included 36 individuals with WAD (26 women and 10 men) and 36 healthy controls (26 women and 10 men). Ultrasound imaging with speckle tracking was used to measure deformation and deformation rate in five dorsal neck muscles during a neck extension task.

Results:
Compared with controls, individuals with WAD showed higher deformations of the semispinalis cervicis (P = 0.02) and multifidus (P = 0.002) muscles and higher deformation rates (P = 0.03 and 0.0001, respectively). Among individuals with WAD, multifidus deformation and deformation rate were significantly associated with pain, disability, and fatigue (r = 0.31–0.46, P = 0.0001–0.01).

Conclusions:
These findings indicate that the mechanical responses of the deep dorsal neck muscles differ between individuals with WAD and healthy controls, possibly reflecting that these muscles use altered strategieswhile performing a neck extension task. This finding provides new insight into neck muscles pathology in patients with chronic WAD and may help improve rehabilitation programs.

Learning Objectives:
  1. Summarize the mechanical responses of dorsal neck muscles during loading of the neck muscles via an extension task in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorders and healthy volunteers
  2. Differentiate mechanical responses between five dorsal neck muscles while loading the neck via an extension task
  3. Describe the relationships between the mechanical responses of the dorsal neck muscles with the patients' perception of neck pain, disability, and fatigue
Summary
Availability: On-Demand
Cost: FREE
Credit Offered:
1 CME Credit
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