Effectiveness of an Educational Video Following Acute Whiplash Trauma

Whiplash injuries affect 1-3 per 1000 inhabitants each year (Jansen et al. 2008). Most patients only experience transitory neck complaints and recover within weeks. However, an estimated 10% will develop severe persistent pain seriously affecting long term well-being and work ability. The exact mechanisms behind the variation in recovery remain elusive, and our knowledge on how to prevent the transition from acute to chronic neck pain is sparse. Guidelines for management of acute whiplash emphasize the importance of patient information, but there is limited evidence as to how information should be provided in order to improve recovery. Nevertheless, recent studies indicate that patient education by video may be a beneficial method to improve early management of neck pain (Oliveira et al. 2006, Brison et al. 2005).

Using a randomized controlled design this study aims to determine the efficacy of an educational video concerning whiplash injuries in comparison with an active comparator condition consisting of a relaxation video. The anticipated study population is 300 consecutive patients with acute neck complaints following motor vehicle accidents recruited at two major Emergency Departments in Denmark.

Following completion of the standard care in the emergency room, patients who have given consent to participate are randomized to either intervention (educational video) or comparison group (relaxation video). Randomization is achieved by emergency room staff handing out sequentially numbered, sealed envelopes, which have been prepared at the Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics. The randomization list is computer-generated in blocks of 20 and stratified according to place of treatment (participating emergency wards). The envelope contains a letter with a personal code giving the participant access to a secure website on which to view the video at home.

The educational video will explain the nature of whiplash injuries and provide a biopsychosocial model for neck pain incorporating both physiological and cognitive-behavioural aspects, reassurance and basic advice on pain relief. The comparison condition is a relaxation video detailing simple relaxation exercises such as breathing exercises which can be safely used by whiplash patients. The relaxation video contains no explanatory information concerning whiplash injuries or the related symptoms.

The participants are followed for 12 months after visiting the emergency room. Self-report data are obtained from questionnaires at 1-week, 3- and 12-month follow-up. Data on health care use and absence from work due to illness will be retrieved from public registers throughout the follow-up period. The study has been approved by The Central Region Committees on Biomedical Research Ethics, Denmark and the Danish Data Protection Agency. The project is funded by a single grant from the Tryg Foundation, Denmark.

The transition from acute to chronic pain after whiplash trauma poses a threat to the well-being of the individual as well as leading to extensive health care costs and loss of work days (Leth-Petersen & Rotger 2009, Holm et al. 1999). The development of cost-effective preventive interventions which can be added to the usual treatment in the early stages of whiplash associated disorders could potentially contribute to reducing suffering for patients and financial costs for society. This study will hopefully contribute to the development of effective and evidence-based treatment of whiplash associated disorders. In the long term, the study may also aid the development of patient education for other patient groups at risk of developing a chronic disorder.

Inclusion criteria

• Involved in a motor vehicle accident (as a passenger or driver of the vehicle)
• Subjective neck complaints (neck pain, headache or reduced range of motion)
• Treatment in emergency room within 72 hours of accident
• Diagnosed with a distortion of the neck (ICD-10 S13.4)
• No other major injuries
• Age 18-60 years
• Able

Exclusion criteria

• Fracture or dislocation
• Head trauma (loss of consciousness, concussion)
• Substance abuse (narcotics, alcohol, medicine)
• Severe acute psychiatric disorder, previous episodes of psychosis or if the patient is suicidal
• Dementia, mental retardation
• Active systemic disease (cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological disorders)
• Lack of informed consent