STUDY DESIGN.
A survey of pain intensity and psychological symptoms in patients with chronic
neck pain after whiplash injury. OBJECTIVES. To describe the pain and psychological
profiles of patients with chronic whiplash.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.
Reports in the literature mention a constellation of symptoms associated
with chronic whiplash injury but no systematic survey using objective patient
report measures has been reported.
METHODS.
One hundred forty consecutive referred patients with chronic neck pain after
a motor vehicle accident were studied using the SCL-90-R psychological profile
and the McGill Pain Questionnaire.
RESULTS.
Psychological profiles and pain intensity ratings, similar to profiles obtained
from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain of organic
origin, were obtained.
CONCLUSIONS.
The SCL-90- R is a convenient instrument to administer to patients with
whiplash. It yielded a characteristic profile of pain and appears to be
more expedient than other psychometric tests for these patients.
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