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Irregular head movement patterns in whiplash patients during a trajectory task

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Abstract

Patients with whiplash associated disorders (WAD) have shown less accuracy in trajectory head motion compared to asymptomatic controls, which comply with clinical observations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a trajectory head movement task can differ between WAD patients, chronic non-traumatic neck pain (CNP) patients and asymptomatic controls. Study groups included subjects with WAD (n = 35) with persistent neck pain after a car accident, CNP (n = 45), and asymptomatic controls (n = 48). Head motion was recorded from an unsupported standing position using a 3D Fastrak device. A laser pointer was attached to the head and by moving the head the subjects were asked to trace a figure of eight displayed on the wall at three different paces (slow, moderate and fast). The motion signal was decomposed into 1 Hz frequency bands and angular velocity (deg/s) within each frequency band was calculated. Significantly higher angular RMS velocity was found in the WAD group compared to the two other groups for the slow paced test (3–4 and 4–5 Hz frequency bands) and the moderate paced test (3–4 Hz frequency band) indicating irregular and uncoordinated movements. Angular RMS velocity was associated with pain and dizziness, but only with severe symptom levels. In conclusion, irregular head movements during a complex task were found in the WAD group, indicating altered central sensorimotor processing. The irregularities were found within frequency levels observable to clinicians.

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Acknowledgments

The authors want to acknowledge the Norwegian Fund for Post-Graduate Training in Physiotherapy for financial support of the study and also thank The National Center of Spinal Disorders, St Olav’s Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, for their assistance in subject recruitment and data acquisition.

Conflict of interest statement

There are no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

    Astrid Woodhouse & Ottar Vasseljen

  2. Department of Engineering Cybernetics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

    Øyvind Stavdahl

Authors
  1. Astrid Woodhouse
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  2. Øyvind Stavdahl
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  3. Ottar Vasseljen
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Correspondence to Astrid Woodhouse.

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All authors have contributed equally.

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Woodhouse, A., Stavdahl, Ø. & Vasseljen, O. Irregular head movement patterns in whiplash patients during a trajectory task. Exp Brain Res 201, 261–270 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-009-2033-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-009-2033-9

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