[Biofeedback treatment for acute whiplash patients].

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the physiological and psychological effect after an electromyographic biofeedback treatment in combination with progressive muscular relaxation training in patients with acute whiplash.

METHODS

Twelve patients with acute whiplash volunteered to participate in a quasi-experimental design and a control group.

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Two months maximum after car accident, severity levels II and I.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: previous history of persistent pain or serious previous injury. The groups were randomly divided in two (treatment and waiting list groups). We used electromyographic measures of the trapezius muscles with psychometric tests: Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory; Oswestry Pain Disability Questionnaire; Visual Analog Scale of Pain; TAMPA Scale for Kinesiophobia. The treatment consisted in electromyographic biofeedback after progressive muscular relaxation training.

RESULTS

There were significant intra-group differences before and after treatment in muscular symmetry and subjective pain perception in the treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

We achieved a significant change (clinical and statistical) in subjective pain perception and muscular symmetry. This study highlights the importance of multidisciplinary work in acute pain patients and the effectiveness of clinical psychophysiological strategies with acute whiplash patients.