Postural stability in subjects with whiplash injury symptoms: results of a pilot study

Abstract

Conclusions: Posturographic tests can be used to assess and confirm the body’s imbalance in subjects with whiplash injury. Further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to confirm this pilot study. Objectives: To verify through a posturographic exam the qualitative and quantitative alterations of postural stability in subjects with previous cervical trauma in comparison with healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 42 subjects were analysed for the study; 22 as the control group (NM) and 20 (WM) with a positive anamnesis of whiplash injury from 3 to 12 month from diagnosis through a force platform. Centre of pressure (CoP) movements of the two groups with their eyes open and closed were recorded. Results: During the closed eye test, the subjects with cervical injuries displayed a significant increase in the anterior-posterior oscillation velocity (p < 0.05) compared with the control group, with a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of the ratio between the shifting length (SL) of CoP on the polygon support and the total envelope area (EA, mm²) of CoP movements in the polygon support (SL/EA-ratio, mm^–1).

Keywords::

• Vertigo
• posturography
• centre of pressure
• force platform

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the MEDEOR Research Institute – Palermo (Regional observatory for traumatic injuries and work accidents). We are grateful to all participants for their contributions.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.