Physical Therapy Exercise Program is Effective Treatment for Whiplash

A physical therapy regimen that includes active exercises is superior to the current standard treatment with a soft collar in reducing pain after whiplash injury, says an article published online May 9, 2006 in Pain (in press). The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to compare the effect of a physical therapy regimen including active exercises with the current standard treatment on reduction of pain 6 weeks and 6 months after whiplash injury caused by motor vehicle collision. The 200 participating patients were divided into two groups. The physical therapy group consisted of 103 patients, who were scheduled for 10 physical therapy appointments, including active exercises within 14 days after enrollment. The group receiving the current standard treatment consisted of 97 patients who wore a soft cervical collar for 7 days. Pain intensity was rated by all patients daily during the first week, the sixth week, and 6 months after recruitment, using a numeric rating scale (0-10). During the first week, there was no significant difference in mean pain intensity between the standard treatment group and the physical therapy group. However, after 6 weeks, mean pain intensity was significantly lower in the physical therapy group. Similarly, after 6 months, significantly less pain was reported in the physical therapy group than in the standard treatment group.

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