Comparison of sensorimotor disturbance between subjects with persistent whiplash-associated disorder and subjects with vestibular pathology associated with acoustic neuroma.

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.