Randomized clinical trial of conservative treatment for patients with whiplash-associated disorders: considerations for the design and dynamic treatment protocol

Scholten-Peeters, Gwendolijne G.M; Verhagen, Arianne P; Neeleman-van der Steen, Catharina W.M; Hurkmans, John C.A.M; Wams, Ria W.A; Oostendorp, Rob A.B

doi:10.1016/S0161-4754(03)00092-7

« Previous Next »Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 26, Issue 7 , Pages 412-420, September 2003

Randomized clinical trial of conservative treatment for patients with whiplash-associated disorders: considerations for the design and dynamic treatment protocol☆

Gwendolijne G.M Scholten-Peeters, MSc
- Investigator, Dutch National Institute of Allied Health Professions, Amersfoort, The Netherlands; Lector, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacology, Postgraduate Education in Manual Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Investigator, Center for Quality of Care Research, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; and Physiotherapist and Manual therapist, Spine and Rehabilitation Center of Uden, Uden, The Netherlands
- Submit requests for reprints to: Gwendolijne G.M. Scholten-Peeters, Dutch National Institute of Allied Health Professions, PO Box 1161, 3800 BD Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Arianne P Verhagen, PhD
- Senior Investigator, Department of General Practice, Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Catharina W.M Neeleman-van der Steen, MSc
- Investigator, Dutch National Institute of Allied Health Professions, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
John C.A.M Hurkmans, MSc
- Physiotherapist and Manual therapist, Practice of Physical and Manual Therapy, Drunen, The Netherlands
Ria W.A Wams, MSc
- Scientific director, Dutch National Institute of Allied Health Professions, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Rob A.B Oostendorp, PhD
- General director, Dutch National Institute of Allied Health Professions, Amersfoort, The Netherlands

Received 10 May 2002

Abstract

Background

Whiplash concerns a considerable problem to health care. Available evidence from systematic reviews indicates beneficial effects of active interventions for patients with whiplash injury. In order to evaluate whether a general practitioner or a physiotherapist should provide these active interventions, we have designed a randomized clinical trial.

Objective

The purpose of this article is to present the design of the trial and to provide transparency into the dynamic treatment protocol used.

Patients

Patients with whiplash-associated disorders grade I and II who still have symptoms and disabilities 4 weeks after the accident.

Interventions

A dynamic treatment protocol consisting of 4 different subprotocols. The primary aim is to increase their activities and to improve their quality of life. Content and intensity of treatment are described.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome measures are pain and disability. The short-term effects are measured at 12 weeks and long-term effects at 1 year after the trauma.

Conclusion

To date, generally the effect of one intervention compared to another intervention has been examined. In our opinion, this cannot be considered as usual care for physiotherapy or general practice. Therefore, a dynamic treatment protocol has been developed to structure the black box of usual physiotherapy and general practice treatment. The results of this trial will be available in 0.5 year.

Keywords: Conservative Treatment, Design, General Practice Care, Physiotherapy, Randomized Clinical Trial, Whiplash